Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., December 04, 2007 Kislev 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:16 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Hanukkah

Over 100 Klezmer musicians gathering for a photo on the steps of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City earlier this year. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 02:24 03/12/2007 Historic New York synagogue celebrates $20M restoration By The Associated Press Tags: Jewish, New York, synagogue A historic Manhattan synagogue celebrated its rebirth Sunday after a renovation that took more than 20 years and cost $20 million. Roberta Brandes Gratz, an author and preservationist who spearheaded the effort to restore the Lower East Side's Eldridge Street Synagogue in the 1980s, said the once-grand Moorish-style structure was then in a sad state of disrepair. "The water was pouring through the roof," Gratz said. "Pigeons roosted in the balcony. There was no heat, electricity or water in the sanctuary, and dust was thick on the pews." Advertisement But the 70-foot vaulted ceilings were intact on Sunday, the brass light fixtures gleamed, and the stained-glass windows, carved wood and intricate murals looked as pristine as when the Manhattan synagogue first was dedicated in 1887. Eldridge Street Synagogue was New York's first congregation built by Eastern European Jews and drew as many as 1,000 worshippers during its peak years in the early decades of the 20th century. But its membership dwindled as Jews left the Lower East Side, and by the 1950s what was left of the congregation met in the basement. While that lower floor will continue to function as an Orthodox synagogue, the building will now serve as a nonsectarian museum dedicated to American Jewish history and the history of the Lower East Side. The Museum at Eldridge Street will host programs about vaudeville music, Yiddish literature, family history research and other topics. The cantor at Sunday's rededication ceremony, Max Fuchs, had led High Holy Day services at Eldridge Street in 1948. Many of those in attendance had worshipped there in decades past, or their families had. The synagogue's neighborhood just south of Canal Street is now part of Chinatown. Noting that newcomers continue to stream into the area, several speakers on Sunday linked the synagogue's history to current debates over immigration. New York Times columnist Frank Rich, the keynote speaker, said "America's greatness lies in its ability to integrate people from diverse backgrounds." "The ugly nativist animus that once hounded the immigrants of the Lower East Side and elsewhere, Jewish and Irish and Italian and Asian alike, is reappearing in our public life," Rich said. "Legitimate concerns about national security and the rule of law are being overrun by the language of fear and bigotry. Against this early 21st-century backdrop, the renewal of Eldridge Street is more important than ever." Related articles: Synagogue in Brazilian town Recife considered oldest in the Americas U.S. synagogue ties with 'women priests' draws ire of Catholics Evidence suggests that people who attend synagogue live longer U.S. synagogue holds event promoting sale of West Bank homes More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us Muslim about face A key U.K. Muslim group ends its boycott of Holocaust Memorial Day. Calling all Aleppo Jews Yad Ben-Zvi is calling for the return of centuries-old Aleppo Codex fragments.   1.   simple question 04:38  |  inquiring mind 03/12/07   2.   inquiring mind -- good questions 05:54  |  bbl 03/12/07   3.   $20M for an old shul? Better to spend it on a new school 06:42  |  Raymond from DC 03/12/07   4.   Typical Reform 07:54  |  Dave 03/12/07   5.   To Raymond -living 08:15  |  Jack B. 03/12/07   6.   Another museum. 09:21  |  Maureen Ann 03/12/07   7.   Beth Jacob Synagogue in Miami Beach 09:28  |  Johnny Weintraub 03/12/07   8.   Torture + Occupation Exhibit???? 13:17  |  POP 03/12/07   9.   $20M restoration 13:36  |  Steve 03/12/07   10.   $20M restoration 13:43  |  Steve 03/12/07   11.   simple solution 15:45  |  ROB OF MELBOURNE AUS 03/12/07   12.   simple solution 15:45  |  ROB OF MELBOURNE AUS 03/12/07   13.   keeping history alive 17:27  |  Liza 03/12/07   14.   To inquiring mind 17:29  |  Ofer Maimon 03/12/07   15.   Dear POP... 17:53  |  Ofer Maimon 03/12/07   16.   POP # 8 - you mean like the exhibition 18:47  |  ChanahS 03/12/07   17.   Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem 19:11  |  Jewboy 03/12/07   18.   POP is dana 19:35  |  Danite 03/12/07   19.   to Dave 20:26  |  marc 03/12/07   20.   Mazal Tov 22:46  |  Elinor from Iran 03/12/07   21.   #18 Danite 23:57  |  Sarah 03/12/07   22.   POP TORTURE& occupation.Sounds like Arabs dealing with Kurds 00:56  |  PETER SM 04/12/07   23.   When I was young 02:10  |  Mark Lincoln 04/12/07

Today Online U.S.: Iran halted nuclear weapons work in 2003 Responses: 117 In nod to Abbas, Israel frees another 429 Palestinian prisoners Responses: 192 Akiva Eldar: Avigdor Lieberman's settler friends can relax Responses: 89 Report: Israel's disabled worst off in Western world Responses: 51 Officials: Extraordinary measures used on 17% of Gazan inmates Responses: 56 Rosner's Domain Clinton was for it before he was against it (or vice versa) / WTR The new Jews who actually love their Shabbat services Poll: So, was the Annapolis meeting a success? "Anyone who shows contempt for Bush - not serious person," says Olmert More Headlines 23:37 U.S.: Iran halted nuclear weapons development in 2003 00:55 ANALYSIS: Iran nuke study pulls military option off the table 22:25 Red Cross: Hamas isn't ruling out handing over letter from Shalit 22:02 U.K. Muslim group ends boycott of Holocaust Memorial Day 22:01 Most Arab MKs boycott special Knesset session commemorating partition plan 21:32 In Syria, chief PA negotiator promises to coordinate on peace talks 15:54 Rehavam Ze'evi assassin jailed for two life terms plus 100 years 21:32 PM: High Arab turnout at Annapolis summit was a 'big achievement' 19:11 Ben-Zvi Institute calls for return of Aleppo Codex fragments Previous Editions Select Day 03 dec 02 dec 30 nov 29 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov

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