Adult Perspectives

SCATTERED EMBERS: A Culinary History of the Jews of Mexico

 Jewish Mexicans?  Most people do not know that there are Jews in Mexico, but since the 1400s, Jews have contributed greatly to the culture of Mexico and became leaders in banking, politics, art, music, ranching, business and food.

Cultural historian Sheryll Bellman will shed light on this rich history, examining the three waves of Jewish immigration to Mexico and, uniquely, how these immigrants melded the bland flavors of the Sephardic, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi foods with the spicy, colorful and intense flavors of Mexico.

Her mother was born in Mexico City in 1925, she was born in El Paso, Texas and grew up in a small town in Arizona. When most Jews were eating Chinese food on Sunday night, her family ate Mexican food!

Ms. Bellman is the author of Through the Shopping Glass:  A Century of New York Christmas Windows; America’s Great Delis; and America’s Little Italys.  She has published widely and appeared as a guest on many TV and radio shows.