Washington Heights, near Manhattan’s northern tip, is a lively and historic neighborhood that has had a vibrant Jewish community since the 1930s. The University’s main campus, Wilf Campus, is located in Washington Heights. A 1928 plan to build a spacious Moorish Revival campus around several gardens and courtyards was cancelled by the Great Depression of 1929 after only one building had been erected. Building continued after the Depression in modern style and by the acquisition of existing neighborhood buildings.Since it was first founded in 1886, Yeshiva University has expanded to comprise some twenty colleges, schools, affiliates, centers, and institutions, with several affiliated hospitals and health care institutions. It has campuses and facilities in Manhattan (Washington Heights, Murray Hill, Greenwich Village), the Bronx, Queens, and Israel.
Walking on Amsterdam between 184th and 186th streets, one will find groups of Orthodox men and women walking between the campus buildings, which is seemingly an odd break in the general population of Washington Heights. The historic Manhattan neighborhood offers a lively and enduring Jewish community, kosher restaurants and services for students. It is home to many Orthodox families, young couples and young men who make up the yeshiva community.
