Jewish Treats

America’s First Synagogue

In 1656, Shearith Israel, became the first synagogue that was established in the territory that came to be known as the United States. The synagogue, also known as the Spanish and…

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Jewish Treats

President William Howard Taft – Friend of the Jews

Jewish Treats presents a quick look at the relationship of President William Howard Taft (1857–1930) and the Jewish people. Taft’s presidency (1909–1913) overlapped with the era of…

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Jewish Treats

President Warren Harding

In honor of President’s Day, Jewish Treats presents a quick look at the relationship of President Warren Harding (1865–1923) and the Jews. Although Harding may be criticized for…

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Jewish Treats

The Green Mountain State

Aside from Senator Bernie Sanders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield – aka “Ben & Jerry’s” – people normally do not associate the Green Mountain State with Jews. Although some scholars date…

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Jewish Treats

Great Scots

The story of the great masses of Eastern European Jews who arrived in New York and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan is more than simply conventional history. It is now regarded…

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Jewish Treats

A Turn in History

While many people know that Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, a fair number would struggle to tell you why the day is significant. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican Army was unexpectedly…

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Jewish Treats

Yiddish in Shanghai

During World War II, Japanese-occupied Shanghai, China, became a haven for Jewish refugees, most notably the students of the Mirrer Yeshiva. After the “Battle of Shanghai” in 1937, the…

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Jewish Treats

The Jews Of Cyprus

The history of the Jews in Cyprus is surprisingly “benign” given the island’s proximity to both Europe and the Holy Land. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus was home to…

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Jewish Treats

A Ship’s Tale

Well sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…Alas, this ship’s tale is no three-hour tour, but the story of the birth of Jewish life in North America. It is well-known that the first Jewish…

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Jewish Treats

The Jews of Panama

The history of the Jews in Panama is similar to Jewish history in other South and Central American countries. Conversos (Jews who publicly recanted the Jewish faith and adopted…

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