From 1881 - 1924, almost 1.5 million Ashkenazi Jews escaped the oppression of the Pale of Settlement and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. But did you know more than 20,000 Sephardic Jews mainly from Turkey, Syria, Greece, and the Balkans ALSO settled in the neighborhood? A 1936 Columbia University study described the area “around Rivington and Allen Streets in New York City’s Lower East Side” as “the most vibrant Sephardic hub in the nation.”

These Turkino or “Oriental” Jews worshipped in their own Synagogues, smoked hookahs in their own cafes, and formed relief and settlement organizations - completely separate from the unwelcoming Ashkenazim.

Join Brad for this “very different” Lower East Side walking tour from Grand St. to Houston St. and Allen St. to Chrystie St. as he points out the important landmarks in the area which the Sephardim made their own.

Some of the things you will see and hear about:

• The major Sephardic Synagogues

• The clubs steeped in their tradition and culture

• The places where many of them worked

• The hardships they faced from being “different”

• The leaders of the neighborhood who instilled personal pride

• An active “Sephardic” Synagogue that really isn’t Sephardic

This tour is being presented as part of Festival Sefarad (https://www.festivalsefarad.com), a series of events in June 2026 made possible by the UJA-Federation of New York and Ike, Molly, and Steven Elias Foundation.

Co-Presenter: American Sephardi Federation