Chanukah on the Lower East Side: A Century of Change

For centuries, Chanukah was a minor holiday that lacked the depth of ancient tradition and liturgy of Judaism’s holiest days, like Rosh Hashanah and Passover. It would be transformed by the countless Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side at the turn of the 20th century who saw something in the Festival of Lights that resonated with their own lived experiences.

Join us on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30pm on Essex Market’s Mezzanine level as Scott Brevda of the discusses how Chanukah was shaped into a holiday to rival Christmas and presents a unique look at the historic menorahs in the Museum’s ongoing exhibition .

This free event is open to the public. Entry begins at 6:15 P.M.

Scott Brevda is the Senior Manager for Education and Accessibility with the Museum at Eldridge Street. As a historian, museum educator, and lifelong New Yorker, he loves to bring the history of his native city to life. In his current position, Scott plans and leads the Museum's Cultural After-School Adventure (CASA) program with local public school students and creates new educational content and programming. He was formerly a Senior Educator at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and holds a B.A. and M.A. in History from Fordham University.

Essex Market is New York City's most historic public market. Originally a collection of puschart vendors in the crowded streets of 19th-century Lower East Side, the iconic indoor Essex Street Market opened in 1940 with small businesses representing every corner of the globe, eventually moving into its new home in 2019. With over 30 vendors and 360 days of business, there is always something exciting happening at Essex Market!

Museum at Eldridge Street is housed in the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a magnificent National Historic Landmark that has been meticulously restored. Opened in 1887, the synagogue is the first great house of worship built in America by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Today, it is the only remaining marker of the great wave of Jewish migration to the Lower East Side that is open to a broad public who wish to visit Jewish New York.

Exhibits, tours, public programs, and education tell the story of Jewish immigrant life, explore architecture and historic preservation, inspire reflection on cultural continuity, and foster collaboration and exchange between people of all faiths, heritages, and interests.

Host or Publisher Essex Market