Notes

• The Brownsville section of the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City, was founded in the 1850s. Its growth in the 19th century came about primarily from the settlement of Eastern European Jews, mainly Russians. Between 1900 and 1950 the population grew to include approximately 120,000 Jews. Numerous large (four or five story) public elementary schools were built in the area. these buildings were a full block wide and half a block wide including the schoolyard. Included in the design was an indented play area that came to be known as the butke. The designation “butke” was only used by the Jewish students in a few schools in Southwest Brownsville.

  Provided by Harvey and Gary Finkel, who lived in Brownsville in the 1940s, '50s, and early '60s.