Join the LESJC, and tour guide Susan Birnbaum for a walk on the "Boulevard of Dreams" - The Grand Concourse, to learn about the Jewish West Bronx.

The first Jewish settlement there was founded around 1840 by Germans and Hungarians who owned small shops or peddled their wares.

By the 1880's with the introduction of the 3rd and 9th Avenue EL-trains, more Jews settled in Morrisania, Kingsbridge, and West Farms. As the subways came uptown, more Bronx neighborhoods became Jewish enclaves. Synagogues and Yeshivas were founded, so of course food shops followed with bakeries, delis, bagel and appetizing stores.

On this tour, as we stroll the Grand Concourse, a street that became a symbol of prosperity for Jews, we will explore:

• Exteriors of several former synagogues that are now churches,including Temple Zion, Adath Israel, The Concourse Center of Israel, and Tremont Temple Gates of Mercy

• The former YM-YWHA

• The former Yeshiva Zichron Moshe

• The Bronx Museum of the Arts (formerly Young Israel of the Concourse)

• The Freedman Home founded by Andrew Freedman, the son of German Jews who created a home for formerly wealthy folks who lost their fortunes

• The fabulous Art Deco buildings, many of which were designed by Jewish architects

Tickets are $30 and registration will be restricted to 14.

In order to better enable you to hear the guide while social distancing, we will be using an app for smart phones. If you have earphones for your cell, please bring them with you.

Proper mask-wearing is mandatory, and there will be a strict policy - no mask, no tour!

THIS TOUR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS AND HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WALKING.

WE TOUR RAIN OR SHINE!