High Holy Day Services, New York, 1911

I love the Tenement Museum. I’ve been there several times – anytime I get to New York.  I signed up for their email and have attended their online tours. Their recent email has this fascinating image of a ticket.  Here is their description of this item.

This High Holiday services ticket, currently on display on the Day in the Life:1911 tour, was found in a basement fireplace during the construction work for Schneider’s saloon in 97 Orchard Street. For the low cost of 25 cents, this 97 Orchard resident could venture down the street a few blocks to Congregation Tifereth Yisroel, where they could hear a famous cantor and a “splendid choir” at midnight when the services began. Even people who hadn’t gone to synagogue all year felt the need to be present on these important holidays, causing congregations to swell and services to overflow into tenement storefronts, movie theatres, and local halls. At the turn of the 20th century, the Lower East Side was the largest Jewish city in the world. In tenements across the neighborhood, Jewish immigrants navigated maintaining traditions while adapting to life in America.

 

If your family came through New York to America you may find a bit of your own history at the Tenement Museum.  If you get to New York, go on a tour. You will be transported to the past in a powerful, educational experience.

Finally, as they would have said in 1911, Goot Yuntiff (Yiddish for Good Holiday). If you fast, may yours be an easy one.