Chosen Food...at The Breman

I've long been fascinated with the Jewish culture. I read Night by Elie Wiesel years before it (and his amazing work) won him a 1986 Nobel Peace Prize and became required reading in American schools; I have an autographed copy of After the Darkness by Elie who signed it for me personally; and I have an autographed copy of Shekhina, Leonard Nimoy;s first photography book. I've immersed myself in the Jewish culture (somewhat) since childhood, mostly through books I read.

Jewish food has long fascinated me...mostly because it's been a mystery to me. "Chosen Food: Cuisine, Culture, and American Jewish Identity" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum cleared up a few things and shed light on others.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

One of the most fascinating aspects of Jewish cuisine that totally spoke to me, while exploring this exhibition, was not the lox and bagels or the matzo ball soup that's so associated with the culture, but that the culture is so incredibly international.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Of interest, but not surprising, many of our Chinese restaurants are, historically, filled with Jewish patrons on Christmas Day. One part of the exhibition questioned, given the Jewish calendar predates the Chinese calendar, what Jews ate before there was Chinese food. Humor is tastefully peppered throughout the exhibition.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

I'd never give it much thought prior to it being pointed out in this exhibition, the desire for one's own food, following immigration, was driven by the flavors of home, wherever that country might have been. Jewish cuisine is truly international!

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The exhibition also pointed out that Jewish kitchens are largely the kitchens of their mothers. When Jewish immigrants arrived in the United States, a significant portion of belongings that came with them were their family's dishes and pots and pans. I knew family ties are strong in the Jewish culture, but hadn't made the obvious connection to the kitchen...I'm learning a lot here!

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

One quote in the exhibition reads, "There's nothing that two Jews like more than sitting around in a diner late at night and talk about what they're eating." That was comedian Jon Stewart.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

As in every culture, Jewish holidays are steeped in food traditions. For example, exchanging gifts of food is one of the primary observances on Purim, 

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Catering takes on a whole new dimension when serving the observant. The exhibition goes into Kosher catering and Kosher-style catering...two very different things. Atlanta has a very rich catering history and industry, many of which offer Kosher catering.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The exhibition displays several wedding cake toppers, including this one from 1904.

"Chosen Food" at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

The one thing, and probably the most important, that I garnered from the exhibition is that Jewish cuisine goes far beyond its religious aspect...it's about family. It's about shared traditions, shared experiences, enjoying each other...food creates opportunities to share in and strengthen the bond of family.

I highly recommend visiting this exhibition, and the rest of the Museum. But get there soon; it finishes at the end of this month.

When you're done here, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos from the exhibition. 

Mazel tov!