Join us for a 1 hour tour of the magnificent Bialystoker Synagogue, which was built in 1826 as a Methodist Church, and believed to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. Sit comfortably while you hear a presentation of Lower East Side history and learn about the largest active Jewish congregation on the Lower East Side today. Marvel at this synagogue which is covered in magnificent murals, showcasing Tiffany inspired stained glass windows, with a cieling hand-painted with a unique depiction of the astrological signs. These rare and treasured mazales - (representations of the signs of the zodiac) are one of the few surviving examples left of what once were countless Eastern European synagogues boasting these depictions. Those synagogues (and their mazales) were destroyed by Nazi forces.

This tour is offered by the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy, a non-profit educational organization created in 1998, to celebrate, preserve and share the Jewish heritage of the Lower East Side of New York City, and other NYC neighborhoods. They accomplish this by providing tours and events designed to showcase the neighborhood, its landmarks, its history, and its people, to enlighten and inspire visitors of all ages and faiths.

Through their efforts, many sites have been designated as historic landmarks, and have been listed on New York State and National Registers. In 2000, the Conservancy assisted in designating a 32 – block area as a historic district.

A portion of the proceeds of every tour, are returned to each synagogue visited on a tour, and The Conservancy is the only touring organization with access to the Bialystoker Synagogue.

This tour is being offered ONLY on the following dates: Monday, September 12, 2022 @ 7:00PM; and Wednesday, December 14, 2022 @ 7:00PM. ALTHOUGH THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 DATES FOR A PUBLIC TOUR, YOU CAN CONTACT THE ORGANIZATION TO BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR FOR ANY SIZE GROUP OF 1-100.