Many mah jongg sets were designed for easy travel, 1970s. Photograph by James Shanks Photography, courtesy the Family of Charlotte Leavitt Spilka.
From Dirty Dancing to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, film and television have immortalized the summer resorts of the New York's Catskill Mountains: iconic symbols of mid-century Jewish life in America. This Sunday Story explores famous hotels, such as Grossinger’s and The Concord, as well as the music and comedy that emerged in the Catskills and became an integral part of the 1950s New York cultural scene.
This video was originally published on The CJM's Facebook Live on July 5, 2020.
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Since the 1920s, the game of mah jongg has ignited the popular imagination with its beautiful tiles, mythical origins, and communal spirit. It is a game more widely known than played or understood, and it is a true cultural hybrid. With roots in China, it made a lasting impression on American audiences and became closely linked with Jewish women beginning in the 1930s.
The exhibition Project Mah Jongg (on view at The CJM Jul 13, 2014–Oct 28, 2014) explores the fascinating history of the game and its impact on cultural identity, fashion and style. The exhibition provides insight into the history and imagery of the game and explores connections between Chinese and Jewish cultures and includes dozens of artifacts—scorecards, aprons, packages, tiles—chronicling both the commercial legacy and social history of the game.
Project Mah Jongg was curated and is circulated by the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, New York.
Many mah jongg sets were designed for easy travel, 1970s. Photograph by James Shanks Photography, courtesy the Family of Charlotte Leavitt Spilka.
Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution, on view at The CJM Mar 17–July 5, 2016, explores the life of Bill Graham (1931–1991) from his childhood as a German Jewish refugee to his pivotal role in making rock music a multi-billion dollar global industry. The exhibition looks at his immense success as a rock promoter and his pioneering work behind the scenes to use rock music to raise consciousness and deliver aid to those in need. Organized by the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles.
Creative inspiration from Herb Greene's photograph, Bill Graham in front of Hieroglyphic Wall, Haight-Ashbury district, San Francisco, 1966.