This summer, families can celebrate Jewish immigrant history and culture with “the great Lower East Side scavenger hunt,” a free, interactive adventure presented by PJ Library.
Now through Labor Day, participants can take a self-led journey through the historic Lower East Side to explore iconic neighborhood spots, uncover stories of Jewish heritage and its lasting influence on New York, while searching for PJ Library books hidden in the windows or interiors of nine locations on the Lower East Side.
“The Lower East Side, and New York City in general, has been forever changed by the Jewish immigrant experience,” says Meara Ashtivker, director of PJ Library New York. “This scavenger hunt is in recognition of (or maybe appreciation for) the generation that came before us.”
To start your quest, go to PJLibrary.org/NYCScavengerHunt. There, you will find two maps to view, download or print.
The first is a digital map meant for parents to use to navigate their families to the nine locations in the scavenger hunt. Parents are encouraged to design a route that takes into account the unique needs and interests of their family.
The second is a kid-friendly printable visual with information about each Lower East Side location and a PJ Library pointer or fun fact. At each stop, families will discover a PJ Library book that connects to the site’s immigrant past.
As kids find the books, they can mark them on their map. Snap a photo of the completed map and send a DM with photo to @pjlibraryinnewyork on Instagram for a chance to be featured and win PJ Library merch!
This scavenger hunt offers families an exciting way to explore NYC’s historic Lower East Side, taste traditional Jewish foods, visit cultural institutions, and connect with stories of immigration and resilience—all while enjoying PJ Library’s celebrated children’s books.
The following are participating locations on the Lower East Side with accompanying book titles:
- Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery at 137 East Houston Street; The Knish War on Rivington Street, written by Joanne Oppenheim and illustrated by Jon Davis.
- Katz’s Delicatessen at 205 East Houston Street; Ellie’s Deli: Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup!, written by Lisa Greenwald and illustrated by Galia Bernstein.
- Economy Candy at 108 Rivington Street; The Chocolate King, written by Michael Leventhal and illustrated by Laura Catalaan.
- Davidovich Bakery Shop at 79 Clinton Street; Bagels from Benny, written by Aubrey Davis and illustrated by Dusan Petricic.
- Tenement Museum at 103 Orchard Street; What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street, written by Elsa Okon Rael and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman.
- The Pickle Guys at 357 Grand Street; All-of-a-Kind Family, written by Sydney Taylor and illustrated by Helen John.
- Museum at Eldridge Street at 12 Eldridge Street (Show scavenger hunt map for $5 off admission); When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street, written by Elsa Okon Rael and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman.
- Buddha Bodai Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant at 5 Mott Street; Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup, written by Pamela Mayer and illustrated by Deborah Melmon.
- Bonus stop: The Center for Jewish History at 15 West 16th Street; Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty, written by Linda Glaser and illustrated by Claire A. Nivola.
