Journey from Williamsburg, Brooklyn to the Lower East Side of Manhattan on a special collaborative walking tour between the Museum at Eldridge Street and The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life!

Over a century ago, throngs of Jewish immigrants moved east across the river to Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a welcome reprieve from the Lower East Side, which had quickly become the most densely-packed neighborhood in the world. The completion of the Williamsburg Bridge, which soon came to be known as "The Jewish Highway," connected the two neighborhoods for the first time, allowing residents to easily worship, play, work, and shop together.

Join educator and urban historian Bradley Shaw and Museum at Eldridge Street's Deputy Director for Education and Accessibility Scott Brevda on Sunday, November 16th at 1:00pm as we explore these two historic neighborhoods and the bridge that connects them.

Highlights:

• Visit Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom, the first Orthodox congregation in Williamsburg

• Stop for a classic sweet treat before heading to the bridge

• Cross the historic Williamsburg Bridge and learn about its history and impact

• See the historical and modern locations of Essex Market, one of the original indoor markets in New York

• Grab a pickle from The Pickle Guys on the Lower East Side

• Stop by Seward Park, the first municipally-built free playground in the United States and designed especially for the neighborhood’s children, the first generation to grow up in such crowded conditions

• End at the Museum at Eldridge Street and see the fully restored Eldridge Street Synagogue, a National Historic Landmark built in 1887

Meet-up point will be in Williamsburg - exact location provided upon registration. Tickets must be purchased in advance of arrival.

This tour involves approximately 3 miles of walking over around 3 hours. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

This tour will end at the Museum at Eldridge Street.

This walking tour has limited registration (all of our previous walking tours have sold out early!) If you know you want to come, don't wait to sign up!

Image Credit: Jews praying on the bridge, New Years Day," 1909. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Call Number: LOT 10892; "New East River bridge (Williamsburg Bridge) from Brooklyn, New York," 1900–1906. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Call Number: LC-D4-3289; "Jewish New Year—praying on the bridge," 1909. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Call Number: LC-B2- 2283-16.