Borough (Boro) Park, neighborhood, SW Brooklyn, N.Y. city (1.5 sq mi/3.9 sq km), SE N.Y. Bounded by 8th Ave. on N, 60th St. on W, 36–37th Sts., on E, and 20th and MacDonald Aves. on S and SE. Began as a residential development during the Brooklyn real estate boom of the 1920s. The majority of the pop. is Jewish (90% Orthodox), having moved here from the Williamsburg and Crown Heights sects. of Brooklyn (many have since moved on to Kiryas Joel, Monseng, and New Square, N.Y.). Since 1990 there has been a significant influx of orthodox Muslims from Southwest Asia, who now comprise 5–10% of the pop. Borough Park offers upscale shopping for Manhattanites, particularly for children’s “dress-up” clothes. Seat of 70 yeshivas, as compared to 16 public schools.

Settled in the 1880s by major landowners in the area, it was originally named Blythebourne, while a neighboring expanse of land was called Borough Park. The influx of more and more Eastern Europeans into Borough Park caused its expansion into, and overtaking of, the Blythebourne area. Today, the name of the local post office is the only evidence of the Blythebourne area.

Claims to Fame:

• Bargains galore can be found amongst the assortment of shops along 13th Avenue, a major thoroughfare accommodating a diversity of wares. The profusion of food shops, bakeries and speciality shops that line the avenue, entice passersby with their gastronomic delights. But the area turns into a virtual ghost town come sundown on Friday (into Saturday) when the Orthodox population observes their Sabbath. Sunday finds a return to business as usual, with the area bustling once again with traffic, shoppers and strollers.
• A visit to the Shmura Matzoh Bakery (36 St & 13 Ave) provides a first hand account of the traditional Passover matzoh baking ritual.
• Actor and Comedian Jerry Seinfeld was born in Borough Park. He got his start performing stand-up comedy in clubs, while waiting tables. He considers his 1981 and 1982 appearances on the Tonight and Letterman shows to be his big breaks. Noted for his off the wall humor regarding every day situations, he is still enjoying the success of his own critically acclaimed television sitcom, Seinfeld, which is in its eight season.