Nestled between Harlem to the south and Inwood to the north, Washington Heights is a distinctive Jewish enclave within the landscape of New York’s larger Jewish community. Of the 125,000 German Jewish refugees that arrived in America in the 1930’s and 40’s, the “Heights” attracted over 20,000, mostly from Southern Germany. It soon became populated with synagogues, Jewish social and cultural clubs and successful businesses serving as a “starter” community for its myriad of residents. By the 1950’s and 60’s it saw the arrival of new immigrants from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Greece, the Dominican Republic, and African Americans moving in from Harlem. This area welcomed them all and transformed into a classic multi-ethnic NYC neighborhood. The 1980’s brought more dramatic changes as many of the younger generation began moving out to the suburbs and to Riverdale for the better life that their parents initially hoped to find In the Heights. Please join educator and urban historian for a walking tour to explore this unique Jewish community that continues to thrive to this day. Along the way we will see: the former Mt. Zion Synagogue; The campus of Yeshiva University (which moved up here from its original Lower East Side home in 1928); the Chabad Shul; the Shenk Shul; Congregation Hebrew Tabernacle; Fort Tryon Jewish Center and Beth Hamedrosh HaGadol. We will also view noted NY landmarks and talk about legendary Jewish figures who have passed through this special neighborhood.

Your guide, Urban Historian and educator Bradley Shaw, was born on the Lower East Side, has a BA in History and Education from Brooklyn College and is a licensed NYC tour guide. He shares with us his love of the neighborhood and passion for its history. He has been a docent, walking tour guide and manager at the Museum at Eldridge Street for more than six years, in addition to doing walking tours for the LESJC, Context Travel and his own company NY History Tours.