These photos were taken on two consecutive days utilizing both a wide angle lens and a standard zoom lens. Exterior lighting varied between photos based on the desire to capture the entireties of the western-oriented facades during early morning hours, before permitted parking on Lloyd Street, which also negated asymmetrical shadowing otherwise caused by the relatively southern, seasonal path of the Sun. The Museum’s Galleries were intentionally not featured to encourage visiting, for the narrative and photos in this exposition capture only fractions of the history meticulously curated and the aesthetic beauty manifestly displayed.

Acknowledgments and heartfelt gratitude go to numerous individuals that facilitated the production of this photo-essay, first and foremost to Museum Development and Marketing Manager Rachel Kassman. Contact with Rachel began in light of her gracious sharing of the Eldridge Street Synagogue photo-essay via the Museum’s social media accounts. This was soon followed by her invitation for photography at the Museum that culminated in this feature.

At the Museum, further gratitude goes to Visitor Services Coordinator Talia Makowsky for providing access and introductions at both Synagogues, Docent Robbin Bord for the personal tour that ensured key historical details, Security Guard Garrett Flannery for the courteous supervision, as well as School Program Coordinator Paige Woodhouse and former Docent-Front Desk Volunteer Betsy Kahn for the warm greetings during my visit. At B’nai Israel, gratitude goes to Rabbi Etan Mintz for the kind, supportive welcome and Director of Special Projects Richard Gwynallen for opening the Ark as well as sharing the status of the Eruv.

Rachel, Talia, Robbin, Richard, and Rabbi Mintz also helpfully reviewed the draft of this photo-essay.