Am Yisrael High: The Story of Jews and Cannabis

There is a rich history and long relationship between Jews and cannabis. References to this plant appear in the Bible, the Talmud, and numerous other Jewish texts. Numerous rabbis have considered it in their writings. Cannabis has been used by Jews in religious ritual and for medicinal purposes from ancient times until today. More recently, Jews have been at the forefront of scientific research and medical applications of cannabis. Many Jews have also been deeply involved in the counterculture movement as well as the medical marijuana movement, both of which strove for legalization in different ways. Commercial aspects of the modern cannabis industry, from horticulture to distribution to paraphernalia, have also involved numerous Jewish business people.

Obviously, activity surrounding cannabis involves all kinds of people, not only members of the tribe. But enough Jews have played significant roles in these various fields that their connection warrants inquiry. In fact, there are currently so many Jews involved with cannabis, it’s only possible to include a small number of salient figures here. With origins in ancient times, the story of Jews and cannabis continues to evolve. In this exhibit, we explore some of its roots and the contributions of Jews to the many realms of this versatile herb.

#AmYisraelHigh

Watch the exhibit’s opening panel discussion (May 5, 2022), featuring curator Eddy Portnoy (moderator), Ed Rosenthal, Adriana Kertzer, Rabbi/Dr. Yosef Glassman, and Madison Margolin.

Press about the Exhibition:

• WBGO, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in Manhattan presents a new exhibit on Jews and Cannabis (May 17, 2022)
• Tablet Magazine, Seeing Green (May 13, 2022)
• Times of Israel, Is weed the Chosen People’s drug of choice? These artifacts suggest it may be (May 11, 2022, picked up by 420 Magazine)
• Washington Jewish Week, Jewish thinkers split among ethics of cannabis use (May 11, 2022, mention)
• Wondering Jew, Episode 73: Am Yisrael High on Tropicana Cherry (May 10, 2022)
• San Diego Jewish World, Jewish Trivia Quiz: Laws & Judaism (May 9, 2022, mention)
• Haaretz, Jews and Joints- How the People of the Book Came to Love Marijuana (May 5, 2022)
• Algemeiner, ‘Am Yisrael High’: The Hidden History of Jews and Cannabis (May 5, 2022, picked up by USSA News)
• High Times, Story of Jews and Cannabis at YIVO Opens in New York Tomorrow (May 4, 2022)
• Gothamist, Menorah bongs and Talmudic toking: The secret history of Judaism and cannabis (May 4, 2022)
• The Forward, The history of Jews and marijuana goes back a lot farther than you think (May 3, 2022)
• JTA via NY Jewish Week, The straight dope: YIVO’s new exhibit is all about Jews and weed (May 1, 2022, picked up by The Jerusalem Post, Cleveland Jewish News, and St. Louis Jewish Light)
• JWeekly, ‘Am Yisrael High’: Jewish cannabis connection examined in Berkeley (April 29, 2022)
• The Jewish Standard, ‘Am Yisrael High’ (April 27, 2022)
• Benzinga, Am Yisrael High: The Story Of Jews And Cannabis, Exhibition Opening May 5 (April 26, 2022, picked up by Extroverting)
• Financial Assets, The story of Jews and cannabis to be explored at YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (April 26, 2022)
• Shal We Toke, NY Exhibit Highlights History of the Chosen Ones and Cannabis (April 26, 2022)
• Kikar, המכון היהודי: 'קנה בושם' שבתורה - קנאביס (April 25, 2022)
• Mako, הקשר בין יהודים לבין קנאביס יוצג בתערוכה חדשה בניו יורק (April 25, 2022)
• Jewish Business News, Jews and Cannabis Exhibit Opens (April 24, 2022)
• 1010 Wins, Exhibit on the relationship between Jews and cannabis coming to NYC (April 23, 2022)
• New York Post, New exhibit opens on history of Jews and cannabis (April 23, 2022, picked up by The Tech Agents, Report Door, US Time Today, Good Word News, LA Cannabis News , and Newsbreak)
• Time Out, Am Yisrael High: The Story of Jews and Cannabis (April 20, 2022)
• Cannabis Wealth, International Learn the story of the relationship between the Jews and cannabis (April 15, 2022)

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