A new guidebook to the city’s Jewish and historically Jewish neighborhoods was just published. The occasion will be celebrated on Sunday with a book launch party at the Museum at Eldridge Street. It’s being co-sponsored by the LES Jewish Conservancy.
Paul Kaplan researched and wrote, “Jewish New York: A History & Guide to Neighborhoods, Synagogues and Eateries.” Here’s a blurb from his website:
(Kaplan’s) historical perspective provides the framework for locals and visitors of every religion and nationality to delve into the rich history and immense contribution of Jewish immigrants and their descendants. With a focus on neighborhoods in Manhattan, Kaplan includes museums, places of historic interest, restaurants, synagogues and entertainment venues… Easily organized by neighborhood, each section contains a map and a broad introduction to that area, as well as an informative timeline of Jewish immigration. Historic places of Jewish interest in Lower Manhattan, the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, the East Village, Chelsea, Midtown, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Harlem and Morningside Heights and Washington Heights are included, along with suggested itineraries, trips for the visitor, and reference notes for further exploration.
Sunday’s reception takes place from 3-5 p.m. at the museum, located at 12 Eldridge St. Click here to RSVP.
Worse than a disappointment, a rip-off. It just covers Manhattan, ignoring the outer veryJewish boroughs – Brooklyn (One quarter Jewish with more Jews than Jerusalem)- Bronx (known as The Jewish Borough, at its peak in the 1930s 1/2 Jewish.) and Queens. It’s as if a book titled “complete Human Anatomy” left out the legs and lungs. I feel cheated.