named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Archives Preservation and Digitization
Effort to preserve, digitize, and make accessible the historical records of Congregation Shearith Israel for scholars, educators, and genealogists
Educational Programming and Tours
Public lectures, exhibits, and virtual/real-time tours highlighting the history and contributions of America's first Jewish community
West 11th Street Cemetery Renewal Project
Restoration and public access initiative for New York City’s second-oldest Jewish cemetery, including structural repairs, educational signage, and docent-led tours
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Educational programming and public tours on early American Jewish historyOffers in-person and virtual tours, lectures, exhibits, and educational programs focused on the history and contributions of the American Jewish community from pre-Colonial times to the present, promoting public engagement with early Jewish American heritage.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintenance and exhibition of historic synagogue and treasuresMaintains, restores, and exhibits the landmark Congregation Shearith Israel synagogue, historic Tiffany windows, and related artifacts to preserve Jewish American history for future generations.
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Jewish and Cultural Heritage Archives 1 activity
- Preservation and public access of Jewish American historical archives and artifactsPreserves, digitizes, and publishes historical materials from the Shearith Israel archives, including obscured facts and trends about the founding role of the American Jewish community, to increase access for scholars, educators, genealogical researchers, and the public.
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Cemetery Preservation and Maintenance Funding 1 activity
- Restoration and maintenance of historic cemeteries and sacred sitesRestores, maintains, and beautifies historic Jewish cemeteries, including the West 11th Street Cemetery (established 1805) and a cemetery dating to 1683, conducting urgent repairs, structural reinforcement after incidents like the 2019 car crash, and completing Phase I of renewal projects with rededication ceremonies.
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Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
- Transmitting historical legacy for civil engagementUses the historical legacy of America's earliest Jewish community as a source of intellectual capital and ongoing civil engagement, creating living connections between the original 23 founders, their descendants, and contemporary leaders.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$5K
Contributions & grants$5K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$50%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$7K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$59K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$53K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +188.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 3
- ANDRE D GUENOUN — TREASURER & DIRECTOR
- LOUIS SOLOMON — PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR
- NORMAN BENZAQUEN — CHAIRMAN & DIRECTOR
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Congregation Shearith Israel Partner — Collaborates with the 1654 Society on the preservation of the West 11th Street Cemetery.
- Congregation Shearith Israel Partner — Primary organization whose history and physical assets are preserved and maintained by the 1654 Society.
- Dr. Joan Geismar Partner — Served as urban archaeologist for the West 11th Street Cemetery restoration project.
- Jablonski Building Conservation Partner — Engaged as part of the professional restoration team for the cemetery project.
- Landmark Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program Funder — Provided grant funding for the West 11th Street Cemetery renewal project.
- Old Structures Engineering Partner — Provided engineering expertise for the West 11th Street Cemetery restoration.
- Rachel Frankel Architecture Partner — Hired as architect-conservator for the restoration of the West 11th Street Cemetery.
- Shearith Israel Partner — Collaborates on archival research and access inquiries
- Shearith Israel Partner — Partner congregation whose archives and cemeteries are preserved and maintained by the 1654 Society.
- Shearith Israel Partner — Partner organization through which donations to the 1654 Society are processed.
- Urban Arborists Partner — Involved in the restoration and landscaping of the cemetery grounds.
- West New York Restoration Partner — Part of the restoration team for the West 11th Street Cemetery project.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Intergenerational Living Legacy Modelmethodology: intergenerational_living_linkBy connecting descendants of the first Jewish American community with contemporary leaders, the organization reinforces historical continuity as a living tradition, because this personal linkage transforms abstract history into active identity and civic responsibility.
- Preservation as Civic Educationmethodology: civic_heritage_educationBy preserving and providing access to Jewish American historical archives and heritage sites, the organization fosters public awareness and strengthens Jewish communal identity, because engagement with tangible heritage builds self-respect and broadens historical understanding.