This is the fourth installation of Nicholas Dello Russo’s “A Shtetl in the City”, following part one, part two, and part three. My name is Solomon Levi,At my store in Salem Street,There’s where you’ll find your coats and vests,And ev’rything else that’s neat:I’ve second-hand Ulsterettes,And ev’rything else that’s fine;For all the boys they trade with me,At one Read More…
Tag: Jewish Culture
A Shtetl in the City, Part 3, “A Vanished World”
This is the third installation of Nicholas Dello Russo’s “A Shtetl in the City”, following part one and part two. There has always been a Jewish presence in the North End. Jews were probably living here since Colonial times, but the height of Jewish immigration to Boston was from about 1870 to 1920 when Eastern Read More…
A Shtetl in the City, Part 2, “Shabbas Goy”
A while ago I wrote a column about the Jewish North End and this is a follow up to that article. Today’s picture was taken on Salem Street in 1909. It shows a young Italian boy calling up to some Jewish neighbors offering to light their stove fires. It’s a Saturday morning, the first day of the Read More…
How a Jewish Banner from Boston’s North End Became Israel’s Official Flag
The fascinating connection between Israel’s flag and Boston’s North End has come to light in a research paper by Brandeis University professor Jonathan Sarna, recently highlighted in the Boston Globe. Back in 1892 on Columbus Day, hundreds of Jewish residents from the North End marched a white flag with the blue six-pointed Star of David and two stripes from Hanover Street’s Zion Read More…
Life on the Corner: A Shtetl in the City; The Jewish North End
The photo I’m sharing today comes from a postcard dating from the 1890’s. It depicts Salem St. looking towards Cross St. The photographer was most likely standing near Blackstone St. in front of the new Boston farmer’s Market. At that time Salem St. was mainly a Jewish colony although Italians were starting to move in. Read More…
WBUR Contributor Calls Out North Square Posting As Anti-Semitic
WBUR contributor, Erika Fine, says that a longtime posting, “THE NORTH SQUARE – Where it all began…” on the exterior of Sacred Heart Church in North Square is anti-semitic. She highlights the following historical description of Jews that settled in the North End. [highlight]“Jews were also prominently present, especially around the Salem Street area, providing services and goods Read More…
Urban Sleuths: Where in the North End was Edelsteins Hosiery Shop?
Photo mystery: The North End once had a Jewish enclave. The photo above looks like it was taken in the early Twentieth Century and the legend said it was the corner of North Bennet and Salem Streets. But, I think that isn’t accurate. Can any of our urban sleuths who read NorthEndWaterfront.com identify the location? At the Read More…
Jewish Synagogues of the North End
Long ago, there was once a large Jewish community in the North End. The North End was once home to well over a dozen Jewish Synagogues. In fact, by the turn of the 19th century, the North End was a neighborhood of nearly two dozen Jewish Synagogues. By the 1930’s the North End was no Read More…
10 Hidden North End Historical Sites and Plaque Proposals
The North End is Boston’s oldest neighborhood and its streets are laden with the treasures of time. Not much is known about the native Americans or anyone living here until the Puritans arrived in the 1600’s. As the colonists settled in, streets began to branch throughout the North End. Much has been written about the Read More…
Jewish Music at 2011 Historic Unity Celebration
If you like Jewish music, you will love this video from the 2011 Historic Unity Celebration, sponsored by the Saint Joseph Society. The performance was held on July 27, 2011 at the Prado / Paul Revere Mall. As part of the celebration, Richard Egbert was honored for his contributions to the Jewish community in the Read More…