Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York
Borough Park, also known as Boro Park, is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York with a population of over 100,000 people. The area is known for its large Orthodox Jewish community and has been dubbed "The Little Shtetl". Borough Park is home to many synagogues, yeshivas, and bakeries. The neighborhood also has a strong sense of community and is known for its supportive network of neighbors and businesses.
Due to the religious community in Borough Park, you will often find shops closed on Saturday in order to observe the Jewish Sabbath. However, many establishments remain open on Saturday night after the Sabbath has ended. In recent years, there has been an influx of non-Orthodox residents into the neighborhood, which has led to more interaction and understanding between different groups.
History
The neighborhood was established in the 19th century by Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi Jews who immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe. The area was originally farmland, but it was developed into a residential neighborhood in the early 20th century. Jews from Williamsburg arrived in the 1920s, followed by Italians from Manhattan's Lower East Side in the 1930s. In the 1960s, many Reformed Jews moved to the suburbs, while Orthodox Jews from Williamsburg and Crown Heights took their place. Hasidic Jews from Crown Heights relocated to Borough Park in the 1980s.
Popular Places
Brooklyn Dancesport Club
A premier ballroom and dance studio in New York City, Brooklyn Dancesport Club offers classes for all levels, from beginner to competitive. They offer a wide range of dance styles, including ballroom, Latin, and swing.
Amud Aish Memorial Museum
A living memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, the Amud Aish Memorial Museum is dedicated to education and remembrance. The museum houses a collection of artifacts, photos, and documents that tell the stories of survivors of the Holocaust.
Smorgasburg
A food market with over 100 vendors, Smorgasburg is a great place to find local and artisanal food. The market is open on Saturdays from April to October.
Living Torah Museum
A group of orthodox Jews founded the Living Torah Museum in order to preserve and share the history, culture, and traditions of the Jewish people. A collection of relics, records, and publications may be found in the museum. They offer Jewish history and culture excursions, courses, and lectures.
Russian Baths on Neck Road
The Russian Baths on Neck Road are Brooklyn's oldest bathhouse, having served the neighborhood for more than a century. Massages, facials, and body scrubs are among the treatments available at the baths.
