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Our Shared Story: 200 Years of Jewish Cincinnati at Holocaust & Humanity Center
C
incinnati Museum Center (CMC), the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center (HHC) and Jewish Bicentennial Committee are partnering on a new exhibition to tell the story of Cincinnati’s Jewish community over two centuries. The exhibition is part of the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial, celebrating the lasting influences of the city’s Jewish community on the city we know today. Our Shared Story: 200 Years of Jewish Cincinnati opens April 28 at Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Working with the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial committee, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College, the Skirball Museum and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, CMC and HHC have organized an exhibition that introduces aspects of Jewish traditions and culture while sharing stories of both prominent and unheralded Jewish Cincinnatians. Our Shared Story examines the people and traditions that continue to influence our food, medicine, arts institutions, social justice movements, how we enjoy sports and more. “Together with Cincinnati Museum Center and our various partners, we are honored to bring an illuminating exhibition that highlights the vibrancy, inclusivity and complexity of Jewish history and culture in the Queen City,” said Sarah L. Weiss, CEO
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of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. “From the creation of the Chestnut Street Cemetery in the 1820s to the diverse and growing community we have today, the city we love has been and will continue to be deeply influenced by the Jewish community.” Our Shared Story begins as the Jewish community in Cincinnati did: with Joseph Jonas, who founded the first Jewish cemetery in Cincinnati in 1821. Suitcases, trunks and immigration and naturalization papers tell the stories of Jews immigrating to Cincinnati. A table set for a Passover seder, symbolizing the importance of family and traditions, invites guests to explore recipes and utensils that can unite a community. A section on religion introduces the basic tenets of Judaism and the Torah, along with religious items including a yarmulke, dreidel and menorah. Books and diaries from Rabbis Isaac M. Wise, Eliezer Silver – the father of reformed Judaism and a leader in Orthodox Judaism, respectively – and Jacob Marcus Rader detail the importance of education. The story of Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College – the oldest rabbinical seminary in the U.S. – also takes center stage. Jewish influences in Cincinnati are marked by iconic names and brands: Kahn’s, U.S. Shoe, Standard Textile and more. Names and companies
