Work On Historic Lower East Side Synagogue Almost Complete
By Roger Clark
Posted: September 12, 2007
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Eldridge Street Synagogue
12 Eldridge Street New York, New York 10002
Tel: 212.219.0888 - Fax: 212.966.4782 |
After two decades, the work to restore a landmark synagogue on
the Lower East Side is almost complete, as workers installed a
newly restored window at the Eldridge Street Synagogue Wednesday.
NY1’s Roger Clark filed the following report on the Eldridge
Street Synagogue.
In an effort to return the Eldridge Street Synagogue to its
former glory, artisans have been painting the walls and restoring
the Lower East Side house of worship for the last 20 years.
Soon, experts will install restored stained glass panels on
the massive rose window.
"There had never been a synagogue like this for the community
of East European Jews on the Lower East Side,” said Amy
Milford of the Eldridge Street Project.
The Eldridge Street Project, the group working on the restoration,
opened the doors of the 120-year-old building to show off its
progress. In less than three months the project should be complete
and the synagogue will be re-dedicated as a cultural and educational
center.
"We will be talking about family history,” said
Eldridge Street Project Executive Director Bonnie Dimun. “We
will talk about the immigrant experience, the migration, and
the encounters of the people who came at the turn of the century."
The project, which cost $18 million, began when a group came
together in the late 1970s to save the building, which had deteriorated
tremendously over the years. One of the major aspects of the
revamp is the restoration of nearly 70 stained glass windows.
"When we got them brought to my shop, they were in complete
disrepair and we had to take them completely apart and reassemble
them,” said Ray Clagnan, a stained glass expert.
The architect on the project says one of the keys behind the
effort is retaining the building's authenticity. As a result,
contractors are, as much as possible, creating as the original
builders did in 1887.
"Now, to see everything go back together again, and to
know that fundamentally, it is really built strong from the
inside out and that everything you are looking at has a fundamental
core and is true to is original form, is just a great wonderful
feeling," said architect Walter Sedovic.
The project is not just about preserving history, there is
still a congregation that worships there. They will hold services
for the Jewish high holidays in a smaller room in the building.
Article at: ny1.com
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