A tip of the hat to Upstream, Downstream for pointing out this link regarding the repair progress at the Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights. One good idea mentioned:
“The youth need to be taught about the historical value of Boyle Heights,†said Yolanda Hernandez, 73, who was born in the area. She thinks the building could function as a kind of historical library for the neighborhood.
Actually, that sounds like a great idea. Imagine that, history meaning something to people. The newcomers to Los Angeles keep trying to act like our history across the river doesn’t matter, you know, because of some vague point of reference “fluidity”. But we know better.
There is also a Star of David on one of the old bldgs on City Terrace Dr. east of Evergreen.
In my fathers day Boyle Hts was sometimes referred to as “Russian Flats”. I’m glad that the Breed St Shul is being protected, it’s part of our Eastside heritage and history.
I haven’t eaten at Canter’s for a while but they used to have a Ruben Sandwich they referred to as “The Brooklyn Ave”.
I know Steve Sass (Jewish Historical Society President) that is mentioned in the Jewish Journal article. After speaking with him many times about the Breed Street Temple (Shul) project–I know that we are all on the same page: wanting to appreciate, preserve and document the histories that our neighborhood holds. I live across the street from Evergreen Cemetery (awesome view from my living room!)–also a place of great historical significance to this city. I guess that is why I find it scary when developers want to plow everything down and make a Starbucks or CVS drug store, because consumerism is the only thing they value. Some look at this community as a ‘diamond in the rough’ that needs high rise apartments and shopping malls with every corporate storefront in them, without knowing or respecting this community’s important history. It makes me ill.
I agree Victoria, the proliferation of corporate malls is homogenizing the Southern California landscape. I’d hate to see this blight spread to Boyle Heights.
An Eastside history museum or some kind of dedicated facility is much needed in our neighborhood. For those who grew up in these areas, the ties to the “old neighborhood” are still strong and I think there would be alot of support. For the current residents, it helps increase pride in the community to see all the work and energy that went into creating the neighborhood they live in.
Glad to see work is progressing at the Shul!
I was so upset when Brooklyn Ave was changed. There are so many other streets that could have been changed. Brooklyn was a part of my childhoood. I liked the stores there, and the bakeries. The Safe Wave salon, Zuckerts. Mmm bagels in the morning. There was at least a little culture mix. We need to learn about other cultures in order to learn tolerance. Boyle Heights has become a dump and people are no longer proud of their area. If you were you would at least try to clean it up. I have been in that building and I am happy that it will be open again. Mozeltov!
“Boyle Heights has become a dump and people are no longer proud of their area.”
This statement is untrue and very biased and unfair thing to say. I, along with a good chunk of folks from Boyle Heights, agree with you though over the Brooklyn Ave name change. First Street would have been a better choice.