Jews in New Rochelle: a Discussion at the JCC

During the year that New Rochelle is celebrating its 325th anniversary, a panel at the JCC of Mid-Westchester will be exploring the history of the city's Jewish community.

The event—Jews in New Rochelle, A Premier American Suburb—will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at the JCC, 999 Wilmot Rd. in New Rochelle.

While the discussion is free, there is a suggested $18 admission donation to New Rochelle Jewish Coalition.

On the panel will Temple Israel of New Rochelle Rabbi Emeritus Amiel Wohl, New Rochelle High School Social Studies Department Chair and teacher Steven Goldberg and New Rochelle City Historian and 325th Anniversary Committee Vice Chairwoman.

Davis said she will be presenting a slide show made up of photographs from the New Rochelle Public Library collection.

She said the country experienced a tide of immigration from Eastern Europe and Russia in the late 1800s, but "it was somewhat unique to venture out into the suburbs."

Davis said New Rochelle's first synagogue was established in 1904.

"The downtown became a viable business district," she said, "when Jewish business owners had shops and lived over the stores."

There are now six synagogues in New Rochelle, Davis said, in addition to a number of Jewish organizations, like United Hebrew and the JCC of Mid-Westchester.

Wohl will be moderating the discussing as well as talking about why Jews chose New Rochelle for their homes and how they contributed to the growth and development of the city.

Goldberg will focus on national trends relating to Jews in suburbia.

The event is presented by the New Rochelle Jewish Coalition, JCC of Mid-Westchester, New Rochelle's 325th Anniversary Committee and UJA-Federation.