First they packed — then they unpacked.
The role of immigrant Jewish women who moved their families and belongings from Europe to the Upper Midwest is the theme of the Minnesota Historical Society’s traveling exhibit, “Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest.”
It will be on display Dec. 16-March 1 at the Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 N. Carroll St. on the Capitol Square in Madison.
Based on the book by Linda Mack Schloss, “And Prairie Dogs Weren’t Kosher: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest Since 1855,” the exhibit explores the experiences of immigrant Jewish women and how they interacted with their neighbors, maintained Jewish homes and created Jewish communities in regions with few Jews.
Lifelong Madisonian Anita Parks remembers many stories told and re-told by her grandparents and parents who settled in Madison in the early 1900s. In a telephone interview she recalled, “I actually knew the very first Jewish child born in Madison — Matilda Cook. Also, I remember kosher butcher shops and grocery stores and that Jews lived in an area of the city called Greenbush.
“While Madison wasn’t exactly the center of Jewish life, we got the Hebrew and Judaic studies departments established at the university (UW-Madison.) And, my children did get a Jewish education, but not the Jewish companionship they would have had in a bigger city. Jews in Madison were well integrated into the community — maybe too well.”
In hosting the exhibit, Paul Bourcier, chief curator of the museum division of the Wisconsin Historical Society, said, “We’re pleased to present this exhibit as our collection of artifacts documenting Jewish culture in Wisconsin is limited.”
Through 27 panels that include text, video presentations and interactive messages, the exhibit shows the process of transporting, transmitting and transforming Jewish religion and culture from European cities to the rural areas of the Midwest. Women had a two-fold task: to remain religiously distinct and yet fit into their new secular life.
The exhibit is divided into three sections. “Packing Up and Unpacking” focuses on women’s experiences in Europe and their adjustment to new settings. “Women in the Jewish Home” explores women’s roles in maintaining religious culture. “Women in the Community” examines their experiences and changing roles in the workplace, synagogue and voluntary organizations.
Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation of $4 for adults, $3 for children or $10 per family is suggested.
Locally, exhibit programming is in collaboration with the Madison Public Library, Hadassah and the Jewish Women’s Network.
In conjunction with the exhibit, Jonathan Pollack, an instructor of history at Madison Area Technical College, will trace the development of Jewish settlers in southern Wisconsin on Thursday, Jan. 23, 12:15 p.m., as part of the museum’s “Brown Bag Lunch Series.”
In his presentation, “Connecting the Prairie: Jewish Networks in Southern Wisconsin, 1850-1925,” he will examine the three distinct waves of Jewish settlers in south-central Wisconsin.
Bourcier added that anyone interested in donating items to the local collection should contact him at 608-264-6573. For more information on the exhibit, call the museum at 608-264-6555.
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