Yesterday afternoon, a hot one here in the city, I was inspired to take a trip out to Brownsville, Brooklyn, once a hub of Jewish cultural life and now considered one of the most dangerous sections of New York.
Former Synagogue in Brownsville (note Star of David at top)
I was thinking of my late friend, George Sandler (father of my friend Rita), who was born in Brownsville in 1916 and grew up in the neighborhood. While aware that many of Brownsville’s storied tenements were razed for public housing projects beginning in the 1950s, I was curious to see what might be left, in a physical sense, of Brownsville’s Jewish history. Urban renewal seems to have impacted New York in a less overarching way than it did other U.S. cities, and, as it turns out, Brownsville still bears traces of its past.
I started with the old Loew’s Pitkin Theater on eponymous Pitkin Avenue, Brownsville’s commercial artery. Opened in 1929, the Pitkin bears a remarkable similarity to the slightly later Loew’s 175th Street Theater in Manhattan’s Washington Heights. George remembered coming to the Pitkin as a teenager, and, according to a 1932 New York Times account, the great Yiddish composer, Rumshinsky, appeared here for a week’s engagement. Outside the theater, a sign hints at plans for some sort of revitalization.
According to a 1951 book in my library on Murder, Inc., the infamous crime syndicate which grew in part out of Brownsville, “neighbors firmly believe Pitkin Avenue compares with Fifth Avenue…or any other promenade famed for its shops and shopping.” Today, there is still much to be seen on Pitkin, including this terra cotta beauty. It was once the Simon Ackerman department store.
Terra Cotta on Pitkin
And while we’re on the subject of gangsters, here’s a shot of Amboy Street, after which the notorious “Amboy Dukes” were named.
Amboy Street, home of the "Amboy Dukes"
While often cited as being a “fictitious” gang, George Sandler and others have claimed the Amboy Dukes were real. In fact, as children George and some friends once got stuck in the Amboys’ clubhouse. To frighten him into keeping quiet about what he might have heard, the Amboys smeared rotten eggs over his head!
Lovers of old signs will find much to savor in this remnant of what was probably a Chinese restaurant, on Pitkin.
Neon Survivor
Meanwhile, those interested in 1930s Deco will appreciate this Art Moderne-styled bank building, with Federalist touches.
Art Moderne Bank on Pitkin
I ended my tour beside the Pitkin Theater at “Zion Triangle,” a small park dedicated to Jewish veterans of the First World War.
Zion Triangle
“There were no subways at that particular time,” George once told me. “If there were, our part of the area didn’t use them” Instead, George explained, trolley cars supplied Brownsville residents with their primary form of transportation. Visiting Brownsville yesterday, I came to understand George’s assertion. Even now, the neighborhood feels removed from the rest of the city, and I needed to walk many blocks before coming to an A train. And, of course, the A was not completed until the early 1930s, well past George’s childhood.
With its capacity for outliving the humans who create it, architecture can bring back the verve and spirit of a place in ways a mere historical plaque cannot. After yesterday I feel more in touch with George’s personal history, and, as a New Yorker, a piece of my own.
Tags: Amboy Dukes · Brownsville · George Sandler · Loew's Pitkin Theater · Zion Triangle80 Comments
Did the Loews Pitkin have an outdoor rooftop screen?
My friend Seymour Goodman went on to be a professor of Economics at Tulane University…When he passed away they named The School of Economics after him…Donald Kagan went on to become a professor of Greek history and his son Robert became a White House adviser…..So many greats raised in Brownsville…..
While doing research on the wooden
frame house my family,and I lived in,
I came across your article.We moved
to Brownsville, in the Summer of 1960.
Months before my 8th birthday,I was
to attend third grade that year.It was
a fun time.I had a fascination for art,
architect,and antiques.The area still
had buildings with stain glass windows,
and chandeliers, which had a elegance
that luxury building have today.Most
important all, it was kinder,gentaler time,
when being a good neighbor was the
key to live in harmony.I remember the
chats with Mrs.Cohen,and The Kraviz’s
candy store,Mr.Sol Eisenberg,my sixth
grade teacher,and our family friend,Mr
Leo Seltzer.All were a part of my life,
along with people in my culture,and
others.We were a melting pot named
Brownsville.
On Amboy and Sutter we had the following. Charlies chinese laundry. Olesh candy store with the melorols and wine cracker ice cream sandwichesd. Of course there was Mr. Grunin whom everyone called Mr. Green.he had the shoe repair shop and it was amazing that while he repaired shoes he swallowed a mouthful of nails which he kept in his mouth and utilized one at a time as the job went on. Amazingly he never swallowed any of the nails. Then from the first floor window of 173 Amboy St. Evelyn and Irving Sherman were checking out the activity down below. All the peddelers would proceed down the block pul,led by horses. In those days pollution was not recognized as the gutter pavement was decorated from the horses. But all in all I still miss the good old days in Brownsville. Best of everything to all of you. Stuart Portnoy
My father, Sol Liss had a men’s clothing store on Pitkin Avenue during the 1950s through 1967. I would appreciate any stories of my father to pass down to my two sons who miss him terribly.
My good friends from Brownsville. I am sending this letter to wish you and yours good health and happiness especially at this time of the year. During visit to the MD this week there was a gentleman sitting in the waiting room opposite me. He immediately identified me as being from Brownsville even though he has not seen me in about 65 years. We spoke about our teen age years and of course Brownsville. It was a great moment for me to meet a true brownsville individual in person. He is retired from the NYPD and I am retired from the New York City Transit Authority. His current sister in law was my classmate in PS 175 at Blake and Hopkinson. He proceeded to to tell the MD of our office reunion and the MD was happy to hear of our meeting once again. To conclude this note I once again wish all of you good health and happiness to your entire families and friends. Stuart Portnoy
Hello! I came across this site by (happy) accident. I am asking for any infrmation regarding a store located in Brooklyn that was in existence in the 1940′s. It was called Albert M. Eisenberg & Co. and located at 443 4th Avenue. Now for the hard part: With Storm Sandy my friends parents lost a bedroom set that was purchased for them at said company in 1948 as a wedding present. It was manufactured by a company called Stratford House Furniture Co. (the current company by that name in Toronto,Canada has no relation to it and has no information) that was located in Brooklyn apparently blocks from the store, if my information is correct. I am basing the manufacturers location from an ad from the 1920′s. I know it is like looking for a needle in a haystack but I have been unable to find out anything about these two companies since no records seem to exist. My friend has asked me to find out the antique value of the destroyed set, but I think she would like to see if some of the pieces could be replaced and is afraid to ask. I would like to somehow find the same set for my friends parents (who are now in there nineties) and living with my friends husbands parents house. I HAVE A SAMPLE OF THE VENEER AND A PHOTO OF WHAT THE DRAWERS LOOKED LIKE. If there is any way to look up old records I would love to hear from someone. If there is a way to find old catalogues from these companies showing photos please tell me how. I have a friend who has been looking up the records of the Brooklyn Collection In the Brooklyn Public Library with no luck. Even Country Life Magazine which was in publication at that time ended in a dead end as the collection does not have any issues beyond 1940 which may have been the end of its publication. Even if I could find a dresser, vanity, something… This elderly couple is trying to be strong about this and the husband is bottling himself up. This is not good. I feel frustrated that in this city keeping records of businesses is so shoddy. Anyway, any information that can be provided will be appreciated. I am thinking of including my home phone so that if anyone wishes to they can contact me. I am doing this as I am not on the computer every day. I will not include it here at the moment as I do not wish to have the moderator delete this posting as retyping this long missive will be impossible. If the moderator will allow it I will include the phone number in a future posting. Thank you!
In response to the gentleman re the long lost furniture store and the furniture itself it would be impossible to track down. Everything today is technology and computers. He is dating back to 1920. All those people who were involved with the furniture then are in the new world now. The store on fourth Ave. probably burnt to the ground a long time ago. Sorry for my opinion if it slights you. Let them go out and bjuy something new and up to date. Stuart Portnoy
When we wer in our youth in Brownsville there was a polio scare and all of us were directed to get to a medical facility to receive a necklace with a bag attached to it with some sort of medicine inside to avoid polio. We were lucky that there was not a serious outbreak of the disease. Aside from the trials and tribulations that would pop up as we grew out of the younger years it was a pleasure to grow into adulthood to enjoy our wonderful country. whatever we had we enjoyed and always a pleasure tooo0k back Stuart Portnoy
I’m so glad I found this site! I was born in 1948 and my family and I lived at 647 Howard Avenue, between Sutter and Pitkin until I turned 14. I have great memories of Brownsville: the stores (The Stadium Toy Store, Aileen’s Toy Store, Jungle Jim’s Coconuts, Bennie’s candy store, Tony’s Pizza. Little Oriental Restaurant. Of course the Sutter Movie Theater and Loew’s Pitkin (always pronounced “Lo-ees”). I went to P.S. 156 and was in Miss Wilson’s first grade class; had Mr. Micheloff for fifth and sixth S.P. classes.
Sigh. Anyone living in that part of Brownsville at that time – I’d love to hear from you (or any other Brownsvillite!).
At the corner of Howard and Sutter in the first floor apartment of the tenement building was the office of Dr.Ab traham Rappaport. I was his patien t and whenever his dinner was ready his wife would call him and he would leave me sitting in the patients chair until he finished his dinner. The Sutter theater on Sutter and Ralph was owned by a Manhattan movie chain by the name of Brandts. After the war they advertised heavily to come to the pre war priced Sutter for the admission price of ten cents. Caddy corner from the Sutter was a Woolworths store. Strauss Stores was located on Pitkin and Howard. Tonys pizza was across the street from PS 156. So many good and pleasant memories that always come back to me whenever I ger a spare moment to en joy the golden years. Otherwise the schedule actually cengters afround doctors appointments. But all in all we who came from Brownsville were fortunate to have had a touch of a really and truly atrea that produced a great breed of Americans who were very close to each other. We struggled and still enjoyed our whereabouts. and will never forget Brownsville and its family of good and decent human beings. Good luck and health always Stuart Portnoy 172 Amboy St. Ground floor
In response to the inquiry by Carol Radsprecher I too am a Brownsvillite….I lived on Sutter Ave corner of Hopkinson across from the H.E.S Attended PS 175 and Lew Wallace Jr High School 66….Many the time I walked up Sutter Ave to attend the Sutter Theater….Then came the Korean War and my friends and I went off to serve….Little did I know that in earlier days the Lunchanette right below the Saratoga ave station had the members of “Murder Inc” meeting in the back room….But they were marvelous days full of fond memories….I feel fortunate to have been brought up there amongst so many wonderful friends…..We used to play basketball at PS 156 on Sutter Ave….It all seems so long ago……..
Carol Radsprecher, was there a Bonnie in your class at PS 156??? She lived on Grafton street near Livonia. Please let me know if you know her.
The names I remember from Brownsville are Phyliss Weiss, Phyliss Cohen, Dorothy Strasberg, Doris Bernstein, Thelma Goldman, Evelyn Kosofsky, Carole Bell, Sue Watstein, Barbara Verebray, Sandra Gruber, Rita Tolchin, Stella Tendler, Harriet Furman, Libby Obler, Mark Reader, Jerry mansbach, Seymour Beubis, Izzy Horowitz, Smokey Joe Weiner, Stanley Maron, Joe van Asperen, Carl Goldman, Joey Gross, Irving jacobson, Murray Babbitt, Marty Obler, Bernard Sapper, Saul Schneider, Robert Karlsberg, Phillip Montag, Alvin Farley, Norman Smith, Eugene Eisenberg and I was delighted to have their acquaintance. Of course I will not omit Althea Zelda Vaughn. Yours truly Stuart Portnoy
Hello Hy, Hope all is well Wondering what ever happened to that fellow Thomas of 178 Amboy St. Last he wrote his health was not too good. I guess he is joining the club. Mike Tyson resided at 178 Amboy Street after the big exodus. Wondering what is doing on the site of Lew Wallace JHS?Same question for PS 175. Do you remember the beautiful gardens in the park across from PS 175. All the students participated in watering and taking care of all the gardening as the classes always made a trip across the street from the school to the garden. I was born at the time my family resided at 187 Blake Ave. Thence to Amboy Street for 28 dollars a month. Then ALAS we were moving to 197 Herzl St. for 32 dollars a month. Indeed I felt like a millionaire. Also waiting for hour after hour in the candy stores and drug stores for the public telephone to ring and there I was on the way to notify the tenant of the incoming call. The tip was always a nicke. But one evening a family at 173 Amboy St. gave me a dime. I thought I would need an armed guard to walk me home. Those were the days. remembering Brownsville is a delight. Wish all of you the best. Stuart Portnoy.
Hi Stuart….It seems the older I get the more I relive those wonderful years growing up in Brownsville….Those memories remain with me happily….Not many of us left from those wonderful days….If only we could re-live those days…..They now seem so distant…..I hope all is well with you…..I think I am the only one remaining who hasn’t settled in Florida….I have been a Manhatten resident since the late fifties…..Hy
I was born in December 1947. Lived in Brownsville in an apartment on the corner of Pitkin and Legion streets, diagonally across from the Loews Pitkin theater. Lived there until I was about 16. Thank you for showing recent pictures of the old neighborhood…especially the zion triangle park. As a kid, the challange was to climb to the top of the statue.
My father grew up around Stone Street, and went to Stone Street Shul…Or maybe was there a Strauss Street Shul?
He also sang in a choir lead by Rabbi Spector.
His name was Max Kaplan, and he had two sisters, Ada and Molly.
He attended PS 156. Any memories of this would be appreciated.!!
Exactly how long did it acquire you to write “A Tour of Brownsville,
Brooklyn
After serving in the army during WW2,my African-American family moved from grandma’s house in BedStuy to be the first residents in a Brownsville Projects apartment. The families came from every ethnic group you could imagine and as children we played together.Most of the businesses were owned and run by Jewish people. I cannot forget all of the different foods we ate during those years. Oh boy, the knishes. sour pickles,hot dogs,charlotte russe, Ebinger baked goods, fruits, soda shops, delicatessens and candy stores. My brother had to take me to the movies sometimes on Saturdays where we would spend an entire day–two movies,newsreels, cartoons and coming attractions. I remember the Stadium and other movies we went to with our mother. We lived
I was born on Ralph Avenue in Brownsville in 1943. We moved to 1715 Lincoln Place when I was still a baby. There I grew up. PS 156 and a short time in Somers Ps 252. My 6th grade teacher was Mrs. Esakov in 1955. 1715 was bordered onto East New York Avenue and Legion Street The Zion Triangle and as it was pronounced Loee’s Pitkin. This block of Lincoln Place was then a play street so – heaven for us kids. There was Marc Banwer, Howie, Bobby Arnold Susan, Anna, Helene, Maxine and Dickie, Jerry Fred Brodsky lived on Eastern Parkway. Joey Vossa, and a whole bunch more . I was sent to Germany for a year then to Switzerland went to college in Germany and somehow never made it back. My memories are more than fond and it was the best time of my life. I’d be really surprised if anybody remembered me. My big brother was Peter. I feel blessed to have grown up in Brownsville. Thursday dances at the H.E.S. were my highlights.
How wonderful to find this site! I lived at 465 Bristol St until I was 11 in 1960. Attended PS 183. So many wonderful memories – the Othodox Shul on Newport St where I would sit upstairs with the women, segregated from the men downstairs, singing the beautiful Hebrew hymns. Being taken by my older brother to the Ambassador Movie Theater on Saturdays, armed with chicken sandwiches and trying to be quiet, or else the old movie matrons with their flashlights would throw you out! My brother trying to get me to sit by myself so he could hang out with his friends. I think admission was 26cents You could stay all afternoon, sometimes watching a movie 2x. In the morning it was off to the fish store, pulling sour pickles out of the barrel, picking up cream cheese, bagels, bialys. Getting fancy dresses on Pitkin Ave, my mother proud of anything she bought from Fortunoffs. The meanest teacher in the world , Miss Kuss! She had the nerve to let you have it back in the day, and I had the nerve in 2nd grade to hit her back! Spent more then a few times in the Principals office. Anyone else remember these neighbourhood times? Live in CA now but will always be proud of where I came from!!
I was born in Brownsville 1943. Lived at 661 Saratoga Ave (Blake). Attended PS 156. I only remember the following teachers. Mr. Micheloff 4th grade. Mr. Rahinsky 5th grade. I also remember Mr. Beckenstein (not my teacher). I remember being the Easter Bunny in Mr. Micheloff’s class play. The best times of my life were spent in Brownsville. Lived in the PS156 school yard. Stick ball, soft ball, punch ball, Long way & long way. Remember an older boy named Frank chasing every one with his bike in the school yard. I think his brother was Earl. Loved the pizza on Sutter and Grafton. We used to call the oldest son
“Joey Pizza”. WONDERFUL MEMORIES
Had to mention the kids from Saratoga Ave bet Blake and Dumont.
Marty Rabinowitz, Marc Scott,Artie Schulman, Eddie Cohen, Alan Udoff, Rona Wein, Joel Ettinger, Philip Bohrer,Donald Itzkowitz The Davis twins and who could forget some one named CUZZIE. & Edith Hirschorn.
Now the group from Strauss bet Blake and Sutter.
Rena & Alan Uffer Michael & Laura Sosnick, Sheila Itkin, Harvey Kaplan, The Finkelstein brothers, I believe there were 3 brothers. Mike, MO (coach of Jefferson football) and another I cannot remember. Corkie Benesowitz, Donald Rosenbaum, Elisa Rubin, Maddy Rosenbaum, Fred Garfinkel, Sheldon Zedeck. Richie Cumberbatch, Herbie Feldman.Sorry if I failed to mention any one. It’s been 50 years.
Minnie & Mo’s candy store-Saratoga & Dumont, Jerry’s luncheonette, Saratoga & Blake.
Beautiful survivors of a bygone era, I remember all of it as I grew up on Bristol Street, then Chester Street between Pitkin/E.NY Ave..,I would love to see vintage photos of the old neighborhood, can you recommend a site? I attended Yeshiva R.Chiam Berlin on Eastern Pkwy/Prospect Pl., I am 66 mow and remember the first motion picture I saw being made, “The Last Angry Man” filmed all around Brownsville and on Belmont Ave.Chicken market, with Paul Muni and “Murder Inc.,” with Peter Falk.
Born in 1943 @ Beth El Hospital ; lived at 405 Stone Ave until 1960. Went to P.S. 150 on Christopher between Sutter & Belmont Aves. Went to David Marcus JHS 263; Graduated Thomas Jefferson HS in 1961.
Go to Facebook and join https://www.facebook.com/groups/52773882072/
BROWNSVILLE BROOKLYN…I have over 700 people and many, many pictures.
Also …my grandparents owned a shoe store at 191 Belmont ave between Stone & Christopher Aves from around 1920 -1965.
I grew up in B’ville, having been born in 1949. I had friends living in 661 Saratoga Avenue. I went to PS 156, Somers JHS, then Tilden HS. Greatest place to grow up. We left in 1964, moved down Kings Highway a mile or so. The Sutter, Ambassador, Palace, so many great theaters in our world. Every return trip to NYC brings me back for a tour. I’ve never lived in a better place than what Brownsville was. Many buildings still exist, including most of my block, between Blake and Dumont. If you take a tour, keep doors and windows locked.
THIS IS FOR YOU KEN CHERNICK, I LIVED AT 693 SARATOGA AVENUE AND I REMEMBER YOU SO WELL ALWAYS RIDING YOUR BIKE AND RIDING IT INTO ME MANY A TIME. WE SHARED THE SAME FRIEND, HARVEY KAPLAN, SHIELA ITKIN, HIS COUSIN, CORKY, PHILIP BOHRER WHO LIVED NEXT BUILDING FROM ME, DATED EDDIE COHEN AND ALAN UDOFF LIVED IN THE SAME BUILDING….JOEL ETINGER AND HIS PARENTS JACK AND ROSE WERE MY PARENTS FRIENDS AS WELL AS GAIL AND PHILIP BOHRER’S PARENTS. MINNIE AND MO ON THE CORNER, MUSKETEERS WAS FIVE-CENTS….BETSYHEAD PARK, ZAYNA ALI AND HER BROTHER DENNIS AND ELAINE KUBEL, THE REDHEAD ACROSS THE STREET. I DON’T SEE MY NAME MENTIONED, BUT I SO REMEMBER YOU. MY DAD WAS MAXI THE TAXI AND I LIVED ON THE GROUND FLOOR WHERE MY DOG CHIPPER ALWAYS HAD HIS NOSE POKED OUT THROUGH THE BLINDS. I LOVED THOSE DAYS, 156 AND TONY’S PIZZA AND THE DELI NEXT TO THE AMBASSADOR. HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING GOOD HEALTH.
For Harriet Schwartz:
I’m sorry that I don’t remember you. You mentioned that you lived in the same building as Eddie and Alan. Do you remember a Rona Wein? She is the only one that I forgot to mention.Wonder what she is doing now. I know that Eddie Cohen became a chiroprtactor. Unfortunally, his cousin Artie Shulman passed away. I ran into Joel Ettinger about 30 years ago in Brooklyn. do you remember a Moishe who had the coolest bike. He owned a Schwin Black Phantom. I must have weighed 50 LBS. He lived in the last house before Dumont Ave.
Also saw him about 40 years ago. Would love to see everyone get together. Too bad that the neighborhood changed. We would have lived in Brownsville for ever.