During this time period, Jews lived on every continent, in cities, towns and villages, and at every economic level. There were Jewish communities in the Middle East and North Africa, Australia and the United States. Although Jews were spread across the globe, most lived in eastern Europe. The early 20th century was a time of change. Many Jews moved from towns to cities, drawn by new opportunities in industry and education. Others, especially in eastern Europe, fled poverty and violent anti-Semitism. In the 1880, roughly 88% of all Jews lived in Europe. By the 1939 only 57% did, while a third lived in the Americas. As Jews migrated in increasing numbers, family bonds stretched across oceans and continents.
When Erika and Horst’s parents entrusted them to the Kindertransport they did not know if they would ever see their children again. These artifacts are a reminder of the difficult decisions that parents had to make to protect their children during the Nazis’ rise to power.
Proctor and Gamble, the maker of Crisco, published “Crisco Recipes for the Jewish Housewife” in Yiddish and English. American companies issued cookbooks to assure Jewish women that their products were kosher (that is, that Crisco did not contain lard) in the hope that they would buy their products. Rose Passin received this cookbook as a wedding gift.
Sara Greenblum's pots were handed down in her family from generation to generation.
Food, recipes, cooking and their relation to holidays unite Jewish people. The diversity of Jewish recipes also reflects the diversity of Jewish communities.