Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Eldridge Street Synagogue Roundtable Discussion

Roundtable Discussion on Synagogue Restoration

The use and preservation of historic religious structures is a hot topic these days. So, we thought friends of LANDMARK WEST! would be interested in the following event spotlighting one of America's great success stories - proof of the important role historic preservation can play in the ongoing life of a congregation:

RESCUING THE ELDRIDGE STREET SYNAGOGUE

Preservationist and author Roberta Brandes Gratz moderates a roundtable discussion on the restoration of the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, a National Historic Landmark

Sunday, January 27 at 3 PM

Preservationist and author Roberta Brandes Gratz and other architectural principals of the Eldridge Street Synagogue restoration will provide an insider's guide to the monumental 20-year, $20 million dollar restoration of the National Historic Landmark synagogue. Along with unique aspects of the restoration work, the panel will discuss historic preservation in the broadest sense as a catalyst for local economic strength, the first step in sustainable development and the opportunity it offers for building green.The Eldridge Street Synagogue restoration was completed in December 2007. The magnificent sanctuary, described as "gasp inducing" by The New York Times, is home to the Museum at Eldridge Street and a small congregation.

Preservationist and author Roberta Brandes Gratz will moderate a roundtable discussion with the project architects and artisans: Jill Gotthelf and Walter Sedovic of Walter Sedovic Architects; construction manager Terry Higgins; and preservation specialists Tom Garcia of The Gil Studio (stained glass); Jeff Greene of Evergreene Painting Studios (decorative paint); and Dawn Ladd of Aurora Lampworks (lighting). Roberta Brandes Gratz is the founder of the Eldridge Street Project (now the Museum at Eldridge Street), a member of the Landmarks Preservation commission, and author of the urbanjournalism classics Cities Back from the Edge and The Living City.

The conversation will focus on the Eldridge Street Synagogue restoration as well as important preservation issues:

* Preservation as an important engine for the local economy and the first step in sustainable development

* Authenticity in historic preservation projects

* Preserving a 19th-century structure while accommodating modern expectations for safety, accessibility and comfort

* Creating a dynamic, dual-use space that is home to both a museum and continuing congregation

Rescuing the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a preservation conversation, is a free event. For more information, call the Museum at 212.219.0888 or visit www.eldridgestreet.org

WHAT: Rescuing the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a preservation conversation presented by the Museum at Eldridge Street

WHEN: Sunday, January 27 at 3 PM

WHERE: Museum at Eldridge Street

12 Eldridge Street, between Canal and Division Streets

By subway: F to East Broadway; B or D to Grand Street

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