Martin Scorsese’s 2002 film “Gangs of New York” told of one of the worst slums that ever existed and the Irish and Nativist gangs that battled for neighborhood dominance. This highly fictionalized story took place in the 1850’s and 60’s but was based on a very real neighborhood centered in what is today’s Chinatown.
Did you know the real Five Points was also one of the first Jewish neighborhoods in New York City? Before the great Eastern European migration to the Lower East Side from 1880 to 1920, immigrant Jews with no money from mostly Eastern Europe, settled and suffered and built their synagogues within the confines of this notorious slum.
Join urban historian and educator Bradley Shaw an experienced and licensed NYC Tour Guide who was born on the Lower East Side, and has a BA in History and Education from Brooklyn College. He shares with us his passion for history, and has been a docent, walking tour guide and manager at various museums and institutions in NYC. Brad will walk you through “The Ould Sixth Ward” and tells of how this diverse group of residents dealt with the squalid and unsanitary conditions.
Some of the things you will learn about:
- How the neighborhood came about
- The people who lived there
- The first Jewish garment district
- The oldest Jewish cemetery in the US
- The Jewish congregations of the area - some of the oldest in NYC
- A Chinese response to a deadly Russian pogrom in 1903
- Infamous streets and buildings
This event is being sponsored by the Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative (MJHI), a community-based project, interactive in scope, formed to explore, compile and record the extraordinary history of the Jewish community of Manhattan, and disseminate it through web, social media, etc. MJHI is known for their annual Awards program honoring Jews that have made an extraordinary contribution to Manhattan. https://manhattanjewish.org/hall-of-fame/
The tickets are free (donations accepted) and space is limited, so please register early and only if you truly plan on attending so you don't take a registration spot away from somebody else. Donations can be made the day of the tour in cash or by check made out to the Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative. They can also be sent to Lori Weissman, 383 Grand Street, M2001, New York, NY 10002-6060. Your support helps us offer affordable program and events throughout the year.
Thank you.
