Lower East Side Synagogues Collection

Collection

Identifier: I-603

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains documents relating to Singer’s attempted sale of the Stanton Street Shul; records of the Stanton Street Shul’s activities, including its Constitution, and items concerning synagogue news and events, including flyers, calendars, and a newsletter; and photographs and newspaper articles related to Lower East Side synagogues more generally. Furthermore, the collection contains one audiocassette and eleven mini-DVs, which have been separated into the audiovisual collection. The mini-DVs have not been transferred to a viewable format and are currently not accessible.

Dates

Creation: 2001-2011

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility. At this time the mini-DVs are not viewable, though the audiocassette can be listened to with the approval of the Director of Collections.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:

American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011

email: reference@ajhs.org

Historical Note

The Lower East Side of Manhattan has been a hub of Jewish life since the mid-19th century, when many Eastern European Jewish immigrants settled in the area. At its peak around 1910, the majority of the Lower East Side’s 373,057 inhabitants were Jews, and the neighborhood housed dozens of synagogues.¹

This collection relating to Lower East Side synagogues focuses mainly on the Stanton Street Shul. The Stanton Street Shul, also known as Congregation Bnai Jacob Anshei Brzezan or the Stanton Street Synagogue, was founded in 1913 and remains active. In 2001, the synagogue’s former rabbi, Joseph Singer, covertly arranged to sell the building to a Jesuit organization, the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped. The synagogue’s congregation fought against the sale, taking the case to the New York State Supreme Court, where the case was settled in the congregation’s favor.

Footnotes

¹Salkin, Allen. “Fading Into History.” The New York Times. October 20, 2002.

Extent

4 Folders

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection of Lower East Side synagogues focuses mainly on the Stanton Street Shul, containing records of the synagogue’s activities and the attempted sale of the building in 2001. The collection also contains photographs and newspaper articles related to Lower East Side synagogues more generally, as well as audiovisual material.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into a single series: Lower East Side Synagogue Collection

Series I: Lower East Side Synagogue Collection, 2001-2011

Physical Location

Located in AJHS New York, NY

Acquisition Information

Eric Wallach donated the collection in 2017.

Related Material

Congregation Shearith Israel Records, undated, 1755-1996, I-4 contains information about another important New York synagogue.

Subject files collection, undated, various dates, I-424 has information on several synagogues throughout the U.S.

In addition, the AJHS holds various collections on small and large congregations throughout the United States.