The Art of the Jewish Family: A History of Women in Early New York in Five Objects by Laura Arnold Leibman

Laura Arnold Leibman's 'The Art of the Jewish Family' reveals how Jewish women in early New York (1750–1850) leveraged domestic objects to navigate shifting family structures, racial fluidity, and social networks. Through five artifacts—a letter, silver beakers, a watercolor portrait, a commonplace book, and a silhouette—Leibman demonstrates that these objects, often non-Jewish in origin, were strategically used by women to assert Jewish identity, class, and race. The study highlights the significance of quotidian items like teacups and portraits in shaping family dynamics, gender roles, and cultural practices, offering a novel methodology for Jewish women's studies. Leibman's analysis bridges material culture with social history, providing insights into how objects facilitated both personal and communal identity formation.

Ashton, D. (2022). The Art of the Jewish Family: A History of Women in Early New York in Five Objects by Laura Arnold Leibman. American Jewish History, 106(1), 88–90. https://doi.org/10.1353/ajh.2022.0007