Programs & Exhibits

Program Recap: Village Preservation

November 30, 2022

by Rebeca Miller

Recognizing & Protecting Jewish History

On the evening of October 26, 2022, Andrew Berman, Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, or, Village Preservation, joined us to discuss the history of Union Square, and its path to landmark status designation.

Below, Berman discusses the rich and varied Jewish history of both Greenwich and the East Village, from censorship battles and socialist agitators, to the creation of one of the country’s first Reform congregations.

Topics covered in this program: Jewish history in Greenwich Village NYC, Workman’s Circle, Near East Relief for Armenian Jews, NAACP, Temple Emanu-El (first Reform congregation in New York City), Barney Rosset and Grove Press, The Village Voice, Elizabeth Blackwell, Helen Levitt, Anna Sokolow, Communist press, Social Reform Club, Webster Hall, Hashomer Hatzair.

AJHS collections & books related to this topic: Emma Lazarus papers, Temple Emanu-El, Helen Levitt, Anna Sokolow.

Rebeca Miller

Rebeca is an experienced project manager and administrative assistant with a history of working in interior design, e-commerce, and private equity. Additionally, she has worked as a museum educator and as a theatrical teaching artist for organizations across New York City. She specializes in producing and managing live events and performances. Rebeca holds a BFA with Honors from New York University and an MA from Johns Hopkins University.