Esn! Jews and Food in America

On view in the Brechner Gallery at the Book Center May 16 - December 31, 2010.

The exhibition explores the American Jewish experience through food-related artifacts – signs, menus, ads, and packaging – and reflects the Jewish American search for a balance between acculturation and identity.  Items are from the collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, and the Garden Cafeteria sign is on loan from the Museum at Eldridge Street.

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  Title: Eli's Meats

  Description: Neon sign from kosher butcher.

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Steinberg's Bake Shop

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Moishe's Kosher Bakery

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Schiller's Strictly Kosher Meats

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Menu from Lou G. Siegel's Restaurant

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Menu from Lou G. Siegel's Restaurant

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Schapiro's Wine Ad

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Manischewitz magazine ad

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Mogen David Wine magazine ad

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Collection of Schapiro's Wine "House Labels"

  Description: The company produced a line of wines that leading Catskills hotels – such as the Concord, the Nevele, and Kutsher’s – sold under their own labels, examples of which are shown here.

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Hudson Spice tins

  Description: Featuring Yiddish and English labels

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Manischewitz American Matzos

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Morton's Kosher Salt

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Coca-Cola, for Passover

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Tab, Kosher for Passover

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Maxwell House promotional Haggadot

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

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  Title: Levy's rye bread ad

  Description:

  Credits: Collection of Rabbi Michael Strassfeld