Exhibit Opens! Sweet Treat! Chocolate & the Making of American Jews
Sweet Treat is a delicious gastronomic adventure into the history and resilience of American Jewish chocolate making. This exhibition invites you to follow the chocolate trail to America, a scrumptious journey through time and place.
Chocolate gives us a lens to understand Jewish migration, as the chocolate trade parallels the migrations of the Jewish people, from 16th century Spain and 19th century Central and Eastern Europe to America. Here in New York City, Jewish involvement in the chocolate trade can be traced as far back as 1701. Learn about the business enterprises of Aaron Lopez, Joseph Pinto, Nathan Simson, and Rebecca Gomez in Colonial America. Witness the collaboration of Jews and other American communities on assembly lines in 20th century American chocolate factories. Salivate as you sneak a peek at some ooey, gooey, chocolatey treats. Then, make a conscientious consumer choice as you pick out your next chocolate bar from the shelf!
Sweet Treat is divided into three sections: Early America, What We Brought from the Old Country, and Ooey, Gooey, Chocolatey Treats.
This exhibition is based on two bestselling books by Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz, the first woman to serve Central Synagogue as a Rabbi: On the Chocolate Trail: A Delicious Adventure Connecting Jews, Religions, History, Travel, Rituals and Recipes to the Magic of Cacao and The Boston Chocolate Party, co-authored with Tami Lehman-Wilzig.
For more chocolate stories and for recipes:
- On the Chocolate Trail (the website): https://onthechocolatetrail.org/
- On the Chocolate Trail (the book): https://amzn.to/3we9Omb
- The Boston Chocolate Party (the book): https://bit.ly/3VIFRPe
Join us for the opening of this exhibition following Shabbat Services on November 17, 2023. Public viewing hours for this exhibition are Fridays from 7:15-8:00 pm (following Shabbat services) and Wednesdays from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Pavilion, located in the Sanctuary building (652 Lexington Avenue; entrance on 55th Street). The exhibition will be open until February 9, 2024.
For viewing requests outside of public hours and more information, please contact Rabbi Sarah Berman (bermans@censyn.org).
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