Pillar of New York Silent Auction
1.Exclusive Eldridge Street Synagogue Tour & Lunch with Roberta Brandes Gratz
Starting Bid: $500
Experience an unforgettable private tour for four led by renowned urbanist, preservationist, and 2025 Pillar of New York Award recipient Roberta Brandes Gratz at the Eldridge Street Synagogue — a stunning National Historic Landmark in the heart of New York City's Lower East Side. Following the tour, enjoy lunch with Roberta at the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen.
A rare and inspiring New York experience you won't want to miss!
Built in 1887, the Eldridge Street Synagogue was the first grand synagogue in the United States built by Eastern European Jewish immigrants. For decades, it stood as a beacon of spiritual and cultural life in the neighborhood. By the 1980s, the once-glorious building had fallen into deep disrepair — plaster crumbling, stained glass windows warped, and pigeons roosting in the balconies. When Roberta first stepped inside, the dust was so thick you could write your initials on the benches. A pioneer in historic preservation, she immediately recognized the urgency to save this irreplaceable landmark. Her leadership led to the founding of the Eldridge Street Project in 1986 and a remarkable restoration that brought the building back to life as the Museum at Eldridge Street.
This intimate tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the synagogue’s rich history, breathtaking architecture, and the remarkable preservation effort that saved it from collapse — all through the eyes of the woman who led the charge.
2. House Seats to Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil On Broadway
Starting Bid: $1,000.00
Be among the first to see Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil on Broadway with exclusive house seats to this highly anticipated 2025 production.
Set in Savannah and based on the bestselling book by John Berendt—who also serves as Honorary Chair of this year’s Pillar of New York Awards—the show follows a gripping murder trial and unforgettable cast of characters, brought to life by a powerhouse creative team including Taylor Mac and Jason Robert Brown.
A haunting Southern gothic tale, stunningly staged. Performance date to be arranged post-opening.