The preservation of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a place for historic reflection and aesthetic inspiration, the Eldridge Street Project hosted this month’s mentoring program. The students were treated to a multi-sensory history lesson about immigrant life. The workshop, “A Place to Be Free,” helped the students to imagine life in the 19th Century tenement district, through looking, listening and touching. Students and their “FUNDay Partners” observed the 120 year-old building, paying particular attention to the areas in need of improvement. The children drew pictures highlighting how the building could be returned to its original beauty. In the process of learning to work together with their adult buddies, the students listened to the Eldridge Street Project’s education coordinator who told stories about what life was like for the people who originally came to this synagogue.

While learning about an aspect of New York City’s history, the workshop was a vehicle for student interaction with their corporate volunteer buddies. Through casual conversation, students were able to learn about their buddies career and educational paths and to discuss their own career aspirations and educational goals. “FUNDay Partners” hopes that these mentoring moments will inspire the present and future of the students served by Partnership with Children.

Click here to see pictures from last month's event!