The Museum at Eldridge Street is a museum located within the Eldridge Street Synagogue that tells the story of its congregation and contemporary Jewish culture and practice.[1] While historically part of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Chinatown has expanded east and the museum is considered to be part of both neighborhoods.[2] The museum, which was designed by Walter Sedovic and Jill H. Gotthelf, opened in December 2007 following the synagogue's twenty-year renovation, during which time it was known as the Eldridge Street Project.[3][4] The capstone of the renovation was the installation of Kiki Smith and Deborah Gans' stained glass window to replace a plain one that congregation had installed to protect the sanctuary when funds were limited.[5] The museum later played host to an exhibit dedicated to Smith's work.[6]
In addition to telling the history of the synagogue's congregation, restoration,[7] and the neighborhood's history,[8][2] the museum also tells the story of other neighboring organizations, such as The Forward, and the broader Jewish community.[9][10] The museum's "Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas" Festival, held annually in June, celebrates the neighborhood's diversity.[11]