OLLI101228 - FRIDAY FORUM - Philadelphia's Lost Jewish Quarter

Course Description

October 2, 2020 at 10:00 am: Jerry Silverman, “Philadelphia’s Lost Jewish Quarter”

From the 1880’s through the 1920’s the area between Spruce and Christian Street and 2nd and 6th was the Philadelphia equivalent of New York’s famous Lower East Side. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe created a vibrant neighborhood with its own Yiddish Theater, literary societies and newspapers, along with synagogues and banks, bath houses and delicatessens. This talk begins with an introduction to early Jewish life in Philadelphia, and then continues to explore the rest of the “Jewish Quarter” sites.

Jerry Silverman is a certified member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides. He earned a Bachelor of Hebrew Literature and a Master of Jewish Education, and has taught Hebrew and Judaica at numerous institutions including Gratz College. Since 2009, Jerry has been giving tours as part of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, including developing a special Jewish-themed tour. He is a founding member of the Museum of American Jewish History and is on the board of Congregation Rodeph Shalom.

Registration for this event ends Wednesday, September 30th at 5:00PM.