Kosher Titanic

[Simon Koncz]

In "triumph and Tragedy" by Eaton and Haas, there is a 3rd class bill of fare reproduced.
What intriged me was the legend, printed on the bottom; "Kosher meat available for Jewish passengers"
I was sceptical of this. After all, where was the evidence for this claim? In any event, the kitchens were not "kosher". so the claim seemed suspect.
A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing a Queen Mary site, and came across 2 authentically kosher menus, served in june and july 1937. They seem to be for 1st class.
The menu gives the authentic certification details, and it clarifies that the Jewish community religious leadership in Southampton had the responsibilty for certifying and inspecting the kosher food products on the menu.
I would assume the Southampton Jewish community had the same role in 1912, although the fact is not given with any detail on the Titanic bill of fare.
I will research the Southampton Synagogue and its records for confirmation of this. I would guess the procedure is still carried out, with certification given by the rabbinate of Southampton.
Will keep you posted.
Just one more tiny shard of evidence in the giant mosaic that is Titanic

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>I was sceptical of this. After all, where was the evidence for this claim? In any event, the kitchens were not "kosher". so the claim seemed suspect.<<

As far as I know, the sole source of that claim was White Star itself which had the menus printed. There's not a whole lot of reason to believe that this was a "whopper" but if it was a whopper, it was from the line itself.

 

[Simon Koncz]

I will check it out anyway, via the Southampton Jewish community records. We shall see.
I suspect its a partial "whopper" and a bit cynical if I can disprove it.
I sense that 1912 respect for religious preferences were less acute than the early 21st century.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>I sense that 1912 respect for religious preferences were less acute than the early 21st century.<<

Perhaps, but it would be a risky thing to do for any business. You don't sell berths to a given market if you honk off the people who are a part of that market. White Star might not have cared a whole lot about their creed, but they wanted their trade.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

It was normal practice at that time for emigrant ships to have a separate area of the 3rd Class Galley for the preparation of kosher food. The Hebrew cook on the Titanic was Charles Ruskimmel, who did not survive the sinking. On another White Star liner sailing from Liverpool around 1909 an American immigration official described the role of a crewman who might well have been Ruskimmel:

"The Hebrew steerage passengers were looked after by a Hebrew who is employed by the company as a cook, and is at the same time appointed by Rabbi as guardian of such passengers. This particular man told me that he is a pioneer in this work. He was the first to receive such an appointment. It is his duty to see that all Jewish passengers are assigned sleeping quarters that are as comfortable and good as any, to see that kosher food is provided and to prepare it. He has done duty on most of the ships of the Line. On each he has instituted this system of caring for the Hebrews and then has left it to be looked after by some successor. "

It does seem that his charges would have benefited from the attentions of a 'guardian'. In the same report the immigration official mentions that anti-semitism was not uncommon among the 3rd Class stewards, some of whom had little sympathy for the needs of Jewish passengers.

 

[Simon Koncz]

Thats great Bob. The concept of "guardian" is new to me. And you have identified the kosher cook on Titanic.

Michael I agree. The menu info is probably correct. I remeber reading in one of the "classic" Titanic titles (I forget the one) that 3rd class, or earlier steerage passengers may indeed one day make the return crossing as 1st class.The lines were aware of that. Passengers would remember the little touches, and use them again.

The major carriers were a good deal more sensitive than society as a whole, I think would be more accurate.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>The major carriers were a good deal more sensitive than society as a whole, I think would be more accurate.<<

They tended to be, though not out of any progressive thinking or goodness of their hearts. It was more like the desire to avoid losing trade to a competing line which would be more gracious a host.

In other words, follow the money!