Historians have tracked cannabis well into ancient history and religious practices. Chinese tomes are the first to mention the plant’s use 2500 years ago. This is followed by shout-outs in text written by Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Romans, and Greeks. Now, the Jewish Museum of Florida is bringing the “chosen people” into the fold.
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“Kosher Kush” was first displayed at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York City before moving to the Florida International University Jewish Museum.
YIVO presented the research as “Am Yisrael High: The Story of Jews and Cannabis” in 2022-2023 before the Jewish Museum adapted it for the Miami audience. The museum named this version of the exhibit “Kosher Kush,” presumably after the relaxing weed strain. The latest iteration engages Southern Florida audiences on cannabis history in Judaism from its first uses to today.
Executive Director Susan Gladstone Pasternack saw that show and immediately knew it could resonate with South Florida patrons.
“We really pushed for this exhibition as a conversation starter (and) thought it would be great for us,” Curator Jacqueline Goldstein said to the Miami Herald. “We try to create an exhibit that creates discourse.”
Though the exhibit starts in ancient times, patrons will follow the weed crumbs all the way to modern times. Florida hemp companies, glass menorah bongs, and other on-theme contemporary cannabis accessories and tools make up the modern portion of the showcase.
The project started when Edward Portnoy, academic advisor for YIVO exhibitions, saw a glass bong shaped like a menorah. He reached out to GRAV, the brand that creates the impressive piece, and they agreed to donate one. This exchange sparked the entire exhibit, cementing a modern building block that Portnoy tracked back to the anointing Kaneh bosem (fragrant stalk) mentioned in the Book of Exodus.
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Portnoy conducted keyword research of archaeological dig notes. This helped him piece together a history that continuously featured the plant.
“For me, what was so fascinating is that there is an incredibly lengthy history of Jewishness and cannabis as an intoxicant in places like the Middle East,” Portnoy said to the Herald. “It became part of their lives and ritual.”
“Kosher Kush” will run through April 20, 2025, with panels and events sprinkled throughout. Entry costs $12 for adults but is free on Saturdays. Floridians turned down the prospect of adult-use legalization this year. However, with exhibits like these, that could change by the next election.
