Lower East Side History The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a
neighborhood that has embodied the hopes and struggles of
generations of newcomers to America. Since the mid-19th century,
Manhattan’s Lower East Side has been a magnet drawing people
from all around the globe. It is the place where hundreds of
thousands of immigrants have taken their first steps on the road
to the American dream. It is a section of the city that was once
home to Africans freed from slavery, followed by Irish, German,
Southern Italian, Eastern European and Sephardic Jewish
immigrants fleeing from starvation, political turmoil,
oppression and economic deprivation. Although all of these
groups have left their mark, it is the Jewish legacy that
historically shaped the identity of the Lower East Side. Today,
though smaller in size than during its peak years, the Jewish
community continues to maintain its heritage. Indeed, the Jewish
population is once again increasing, as young Orthodox families
move into the area, attracted by a stron