Saturday, January 3, 2009

"Our Neighborhoods"

A new year, a new show

Eldridge Street Synagogue"
Photograph


Starting the new year off with two of my photographs in an exhibit at the Franklin 54 Gallery entitled, "Our Neighborhoods." A group of photographers affiliated with the Creative Center have been meeting for the past year exploring the subject of neighborhood and I chose to focus my attentions on the Lower East Side, especially the older synagogues, some of which have found new life. The Eldridge Street Synagogue has been wonderfully restored over a 20-year period, and is now known as the Museum at Eldridge Street. It also functions as an Orthodox synagogue, it's congregants celebrating Sabbath services and holidays. Other times it serves as a museum. One can come here to learn about the immigrant and spiritual history of New York and the building itself is absolutely gorgeous, one of my all-time favorites, and you know I have a few. This photograph just might become a painting, I'm feeling inspired.


"Angel Orensanz"
Photograph


The Angel Orensanz Foundation of the Arts is another former synagogue that now hosts an active visual and performing arts schedule.

"Our Neighborhoods" runs from January 3-29, 2009 at the Franklin 54 Gallery, 181 Christopher Street, NY, 212-627-8690. Click link for more information.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Eldridge Street Synagogue indeed was RESTORED-but the NEW Museum At Eldridge - is ONLY housed in the Synagogue Building. This ORTHODOX Synagogue MAINTAINS its' religious services weekly. Please make the necessary CORRECTION!

SJF said...

Comment noted and correction made. Thank you.