with WES Scholar-in-Residence 2026 - Dr. David Kaufman 

In 1972, author Harry Golden called New York “the greatest Jewish city in the world.” While the city may have competition in that regard from Israel’s own metropolises, it is indisputable that New York has been the greatest urban community in the history of the Jewish diaspora, truly the ‘Jerusalem of America.’ In this illustrated Zoom talk, historian Dr. David Kaufman will consider the long tradition of “new Jerusalems” in Jewish history, then demonstrate why New York City is the quintessential example—and in the process, weigh the growing concern that the ‘golden age’ is over for New York Jews.

Brochure - 3 events: April 22, April 24, April 25

Dr. David Kaufman is an American Jewish historian who has served on the faculties of Hebrew Union College and Hofstra University, and authored two books, Shul with a Pool: The Synagogue-Center in American Jewish History (1999) and Jewhooing the Sixties: American Celebrity and Jewish Identity (2012). Now living on the Upper West Side, David works as an independent scholar and public historian teaching Jewish history and writing primarily on the subject of Jewish New York.

Members, see weekly newsletter or Members' section for Zoom link.  Interested others, please contact admin [at] westendsynagogue.org (office) for Zoom link.