Exhibits
“When do we eat?” is a common refrain around the Pesach Seder, the blessing of Shabbat meal and other occasions where Jewsih family & friends gather. A meal, and all that goes into its preparation, can be considered synonymous with Jewish life. The act of sharing a meal preceding or following an event—whether cheerful or somber—is an act of love. It solidifies bonds of friendship, family, and community. A table, likewise is the epicenter of daily life. It is the place where life’s trials, tribulations, and success are relayed. And, it is a place where traditions and customs grow, evolve, and remain across generations. According to the Talmud, the family table has the additional role as altar. Thus, “every home a temple; every family a sanctuary; every table an altar; every meal an offering; every Jew a Priest.” 1
The importance of the meal to Jewish life and culture has evolved over 2000 years. While there are geographic differences among the diaspora, keeping kosher, customs of food preparation, traditional recipes, rituals, celebrations, and the notion of “table as temple” are witnessed globally.
This exhibit aims to share in the experiences of the Dallas Jewish community preparing and sharing meals for all occasions. From the menorahs that light the way during Hanukkah, to the Seder plates that remind of the past; the dishes used for decades of weekly Shabbat dinners; the celebrations that expand families; and, those that reintroduce us to our neighbors, Jewish life doesn’t necessarily revolve around food—it revolves around the items, ceremonies, traditions, tables, and people who make the food taste good. Now, go let Bubbe feed you.
1 Poupko, Rabbi Yehiele E. “Eating as a Celebration of Jewish Life.” JUF News. November 26, 2007. Accessed November 07, 2018. https://www.juf.org/news/thinking_torah.aspx?id=28094.
Andrea Weinstein at Birthday Party, 1956, Andrea Weinstein Collection
Meal at Byer Rolnick, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Dallas Havurah, 1999, Chais of Dallas – Dallas Havurah Collection
Dallas Havurah, 1982, Chais of Dallas – Dallas Havurah Collection
Cobbel Family Dinner, Cobbel Family Collection
Dallas Havurah, 1984, Chais of Dallas – Dallas Havurah Collection
Dallas Havurah, 1992, Chais of Dallas – Dallas Havurah Collection
Cantor & Mrs. Rubin Kaplan and Family, Pearl Utay Friedman Collection
Sweet family at the Century Room, Hotel Adolphus, Dallas, Janice & Arnold Sweet Collection
1920s-Era Passover Seder, Sam & Dubbie Margules Family, Sylvia Margules Trugman Collection
Annie and Morris Gruber Wedding Dinner, 1915, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Goldstein Friedman Banquet, 1915, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
William Soltes and Family, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Invitation to a “Kitchen Shower,” Madelyn Schepps Collection
Community Gathering, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Large Gathering Over a Meal, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Dallas Morning News, 2002, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Passover Seder, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Cooking Class, 1917-1918, National Council of Jewish Women Collection
Shirley & Sol Wald at an Event, Shirley & Sol Wald Collection
Meeting with Refreshments, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Bedikat Chometz Set, Debra Polsky Collection
Decorative Plate, “Stars & Dreidels,” edition 20/150 Designed by P. Utay (reverse), Shirley & Sol Wald Collection
Decorative Plate, “Stars & Dreidels,” edition 20/150 Designed by P. Utay, Shirley & Sol Wald Collection
Dreidels, Dorothy Wolchansky Collection
Menorah with Ceramic Rabbi Figurine, Dorothy Wolchansky Collection
Liquor Bottle Replica of Michelangelo’s Moses (reverse), Harriet Gross Collection
Liquor Bottle Replica of Michelangelo’s Moses, Harriet Gross Collection
Decorative Bottle Cover, Dorothy Wolchansky Collection
Small Cut Crystal Vase, Dallas Jewish Historical Society
Jewish Welfare Federation Bottle Opener, Given to Pearl Klausner, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Judaica-Themed Neiman Marcus Votive Holder, Harriet Gross Collection
Pomegranate Hidur Mitzvah Pin, Ginger Jacobs Collection
Centrum Brand “Festival of Lights” Dish, Harriet Gross Collection
Decorative Tile, Miriam & Al Creemer Collection
Swee-Touch-Nee Tea Tin (with original contents), Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Swee-Touch-Nee Tea Tin, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Pair of Brass Candlesticks, Harriet Gross Collection
Kiddush Cup, Courtesy of Debra Polsky
Glass-bottomed Tankard, Jewish Welfare Federation, 1969 Campaign, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Wooden Bowl and Handheld Chopper (pre-existing interpretive label), Ornish Collection
Wooden Bowl and Handheld Chopper, Ornish Collection
Pair of Handheld Choppers, Phil Smith Collection
Sakin or Chalef Used for Shechita, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Knife Used in Kosher Meat Preparation, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Knife Used in Kosher Meat Preparation, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Pair of Small Kitchen Knives with Leather Sheath, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Menorah, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
5000 Years in the Kitchen, prepared by Sisterhood od Temple Emanu-El, Mimi Hamel Collection
“A Taste From Honey…” Compiled by Herbert Shore, Miriam & Al Creemer Collection
Bake Oven Dish with Orange Floral Motif, Harriet Gross Collection
Menorah, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Tea Cup Gifted to Hugh Carney for his Dedicated Service to Sanger Bros., Hugh Carney Collection
Ornate Seder Plate with Handles, Dorothy Wolchansky Collection
Ornate Seder Plate, Miriam & Al Creemer Collection
CWSL Award to Sol Minzer, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Forest Avenue High School Commemorative Plate (reverse), Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Forest Avenue High School Commemorative Plate, Dallas Jewish Historical Society Collection
Engraved Brass Plate, Dorothy Wolchansky Collection
Abstract-Judaica Decorative Plate, Harriet Gross Collection
A Taste of Tradition: A Kosher Cookbook Shearith Israel Sisterhood, 1980, Stuart Rosenfield Collection
Cocktails to Coffee, Dallas Council of Jewish Women, Dallas Jewish Historical Society
Handmade Apron—Pleasant Passover Design, Andrea Weinstein Collection
Handmade Reversible Apron—Shabbat Shalom and Happy Holiday (side a), Andrea Weinstein Collection
Handmade Reversible Apron—Shabbat Shalom and Happy Holiday (side b), Andrea Weinstein Collection
Handmade Apron—pink and floral with heart applique pocket, c. 1961, Andrea Weinstein Collection
Handmade Apron—Happy Hanukah, Andrea Weinstein Collection