Lower East Side

An absolutely stunning synagogue. Full of so much history, a must see if want to be taken back in time and see some amazing artefacts and hear some incredible facts about Eastern European jews who lived in that area many many years ago. Such a beautiful place. The tour we went on was so great too and the guide was insanely knowledgeable and friendly.

Visiting this beautifully restored synagogue was the highlight of my recent trip to NYC. I took the docent led tour and can highly recommend it. Our docent was very knowledgeable and responsive to questions. I had seen pictures of the synagogue before, but it took my breath away when the main doors opened up and we went inside this amazing space. I originally come from a town in Germany that had a gorgeous synagogue in the same style but it was destroyed. Seeing the Eldridge Street Synagogue in all of her glory was a wonderful experience, but also showed what was lost in those terrible times. Yet the Jewish people and their rich culture is surviving and thriving, and this gives hope for the future.

pretty cool, kind of short but a nice slice of history. I wish there was more about restoration and how the temple worked, but it was very interesting. It was a little difficult to access internet so for the self-guided tour I missed one “stop”, but they were all cool websites. And I liked the menorah exhibit thing.

This place is beautiful and spectacular inside with a humble entrance that is even hard to notice when passing by. You can come on Mondays and Fridays - it's pay as you wish. On other days the regular price is 15 bucks. You have to deposit your backpack and any food or drinks. There aren't a lot of visitors and the staff are friendly and welcoming. I happened to join a guided tour which was also good - the guide (cannot remember her name) is a patient and kind lady and they are not forcing you to donate or do anything. I know little about Jewish religion and came only because I heard it is beautiful architecture but the visit was still informative and doesn't make me feel weird or unwelcomed.

On Monday, it is pay what you wish + $1. Docent-led tours get a personal touch with family stories, and you are allowed into the synagogue. This beautiful place was the first synagogue built from the ground up (not a converted building) built by the poorest wave of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. It captured their high hopes for their lives in this new country. It was almost lost to neglect and decay but was luckily rescued and restored.