Cedarhurst, NY – After being expelled from a Brooklyn yeshiva when he was 14, Jonathan Greenstein attended public school, where the days ran shorter so the so-called “problem child” picked up a job at an antique store that kick started his passion for collecting Judaica (Jewish religious artifacts).
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“Old ladies would bring in their antiques to the store and while the owner wasn’t Jewish, he knew they shouldn’t be melted down,” said Greenstein, now a Cedarhurst resident. “That was 28 years ago and while I’m not really a collector anymore, I still have all the stuff I collected as a kid.”
Greenstein opened a Judaica auction house in Cedarhurst, J. Greenstein & Co., in August and said the biggest challenge is weeding through the fakes and forgeries. He explained that his 28 years of experience handling Judaica helps him distinguish the genuine from the imitation and that in order to tell if a piece is real you need to pay attention to the aging of the silver, the inscriptions, general style, quality of silver and the company the piece came from.
Cedarhurst was chosen as the location for Greenstein’s auction house because he has lived in the Five Towns for the past 15 years and wanted to open a store dedicated to Judaica.
“There’s no place like it in America where you can but antique menorahs and candlesticks,” Greenstein said about his auction house. “I wanted to share my love and passion for Judaica with others and Cedarhurst is the appropriate neighborhood to do that in.” continue reading
Online Judaica: http://www.jgreenstein.com/
Watch below Exclusive VIN News video interview with Jonathan at his auction house in Cedarhurst.
Very interesting VIN. Please make this a regular feature. Highlighting ordinary people’s extraordinary daily lives. Getting a glimpse of seemingly regular businesses and people in our community is so refreshing and interesting. Thank you VIN.
I bought a pair of 19th century candelsticks from Jonathan through Ebay years ago that we use every Shabbos. With the increases in the price of silver they are of course now worth several times what I paid for them. He has the most fascinating items and is a real mensch. It’s probably worth a trip to the 5 towns just to see his shop.
Can I search his stuff @eBay ? Under what name?
Jonotan. I was delighted to see you doing a beutiful presentation on vin news. I have to say that Jonotan is one of the most honorable people to deal in business. By the way I do attend your actions at the city. My last purchase was at the june 7 2010 action lot 146 a silver gragger c. 1980 and lot 180 a small silver menorah by henryk winograd c. 1990. I am in love with with both pieces. My buyer is Mr. Meyer a–el
His Ebay listing name is glattkosher. He currently has no listings but has had some fascinating items over the years.
Jonathan is a wonderful person to deal with. I met him several years ago and have bought numerous items from him, especially Kiddush cups from Liita. Making Kiddush with a beccher from Slusk is a very moving experience for me and enhances my oneg shabbos. I was once at a Southebys auction and sat next to Jonathan. He advised me on a purchase (that he could have made himself). I later sold that item for a substantial prfit. Jonathan is a real mentch and a pleasure to deal with. I wish you much Hatzlocha !
i bought in the last 3 years from Jonathan around 40 pieces mainly spice towers and menorahs i love them its my life and i will never sell them iyh, Jonathan offered me for some items i bought double the money i paid (of course i didn’t sell), collecting judaica is the best thing i ever did for my self!
Wonderful feature!! We want more of the same!