Eldridge Street Synagogue 🇺🇸

Located at 12–16 Eldridge Street between Canal and Division streets in Manhattan's Chinatown and Lower East Side, the Eldridge Street Synagogue offers you a powerful window into New York City’s Jewish immigration history. Built in 1887 for Congregation Kahal Adath Jeshurun, it stands as one of the first synagogues erected in the United States by Eastern European Jews. Designed by architects Peter and Francis William Herter, the building is a National Historic Landmark showcasing an exquisite Moorish Revival style blended with Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival architectural elements.

When you visit, you will marvel at its striking facade featuring arched openings, rooftop finials, two stair towers, and a grand rose window, with a second rose window visible in the rear. Inside, step into the expansive main sanctuary, which boasts two levels of seating, trompe-l'œil painted patterns, an impressive Torah ark, and a central bimah. You can also explore the lower level, once used as a study hall and now transformed into museum galleries.

Today, the space houses the Museum at Eldridge Street, focused on local history and culture, while remaining an active house of worship where congregants still host weekly services.

What to see at Eldridge Street Synagogue

• Moorish Revival architecture with Gothic and Romanesque Revival elements
• Striking facade with rose windows, stair towers, and rooftop finials
• Grand main sanctuary featuring a central bimah, Torah ark, and two seating levels
• Lower-level museum galleries focused on history and culture

Visiting tips

Explore the lower-level museum galleries to gain insight into the synagogue's cultural and architectural history.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Eldridge Street Synagogue is easy to reach on Manhattan’s public transport, and pairs naturally with National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Trinity Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Manhattan travel guide.