Museum at Eldridge Street

The Museum is the cultural and educational organization housed within the Eldridge Street Synagogue, which was built in 1887, when the signs of the neighborhood were written in the language of the local residents: Yiddish and Hebrew, versus today's Chinese.

I arrived at 11 a.m. for the on-the-hour guided tour. The Museum's entrance leads to the basement of the building and may be disappointing given the reputation of the architectural (Moorish Revival) merits of the building: it's a slightly shabby, functional space, resembling the lower levels of religious spaces all across the U.S. Oops, it's a beth midrash, or a "study hall", which explains the rows of smooth oak pews and the books piled on carts. The guide introduced the history of the building and the neighborhood, and articulated some practices of Judaism and how to make an egg cream- that's the thing with museum guides, you never know what you're gonna get.

Upstairs, or at nearly ground level (a short staircase if coming from the street), is the entry, with beautiful painted plasterwork walls, and- I hate to be so trite- the doors open onto a breathtaking jewel-box of a sanctuary. I'll stop here: you have to see it.

(Ok ok, the rose window is by American artist Kiki Smith and architect Deborah Gans. Interesting choice of artist, for a rather conservative space: the synagogue is still active and although the congregation is small, the Eldridge Street Synagogue is for the practice of Orthodox Judaism and there is a separate women's gallery in use on the second level.)

I've been to Prosperity Dumpling up the street about 8,391 times, yet never came to the Museum until this week. It's a hidden gem, but what a beauty! If you've the time, the Tenement Museum on Orchard is a good complement to the history and life of the Lower East Side.

Free admission on Mondays, guided tours on the hour even on Mondays.

There is a historical charm and antiquated beauty to this renovated 1887 synagogue. It's an Orthodox house of worship so the men and women sit separately; men on the second floor and women on the third floor.

The pews are made of smooth wood, the chandelier and menorahs gleam with a golden color, the stained glass windows are soothing, and the high vaulted ceiling gives a feeling of awe and reverence to the place. I liked climbing the stairs and walking around.

There is a short tour which talks about how the synagogue was renovated. On the third floor, a piece of the wall is exposed to show how the walls were originally built with plaster, wood, and horsehair (to hold it together).

This place is a bit small and doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes to look around, otherwise I would give it another star.

I'm not usually wowed by museums, but I really enjoyed visiting the Museum at Eldridge Street.

As the neighborhood has continually evolved over the years, this synagogue is in what is now Chinatown. I think that adds to the charm and historical significance of the building and the neighborhood. Walking through the front doors feels like passing through a time warp.

For $10, you can have a guided tour (on the hour) or explore on your own. I recommend the tour. Our tour guide was friendly, patient and informative. I think the tour was about 45 minutes. We used a Yelp deal for 1 free admission but ended up leaving a donation because we enjoyed it so much.

Highly recommended if you are interested in the history of the LES, NYC, and/or Jewish heritage.