Jewish Conservancy Opens Visitor Center at 400 Grand Street

The Lo-Down: News From The Lower East Side

By Ed Litvak on May 9, 2011 9:59 am

This past Friday morning, the LES Jewish Conservancy had lots of help from its friends in celebrating the grand opening of the Kling & Niman Family Visitor Center at 400 Grand Street.  The storefront gives the organization a visible presence in the heart of the Lower East Side — a “brick and mortar” launching pad for neighborhood walking tours and a venue for events and education about the neighborhood’s rich legacy. 

The Conservancy was created more than a decade ago by the United Jewish Council of the East Side to protect endangered synagogues and other historic sites. UJC Executive Director Joel Kaplan introduced many speakers, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, City Councilwoman Margaret Chin, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Beth Israel Hospital President Harris Nagler.

Many other organizations were represented, such as: the LES Business Improvement District, Community Board 3, Gouverneur Hospital, the Tenement Museum and the 7th Precinct.

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