Manchester Jewish Museum

A group of women textile makers, made up of mostly Jewish and Muslim ladies, have created a beautiful new embroidery dress that celebrates food, recipes and culture.

The group, which now meets regularly online, has a long-standing connection with the museum. They previously gathered in our building and created textile work for the exhibition by Belgian Turner Prize winner Laure Prouvost. Proudly multicultural, the group fosters dialogue and connection through a shared passion for embroidery and design.

Their latest project, A Taste of Culture, reflects on the powerful memories evoked by food. Each stitch reimagines flavours and scents from the makers’ diverse backgrounds, from Masala tea, a calming and spiritual favourite in many Muslim homes, to the nourishing Jewish chicken soup often called “Jewish penicillin,” and the rich, spice-filled dishes of Sephardi Jews from the Middle East. Together, these memories celebrate tradition, identity, and the stories we pass from one generation to the next.

You can view the dress on display in the museum’s entrance, and enjoy it over a cup of tea from our café.

Artists:

Majeeda Barlas
Felice Beilin
Hilary Edis
Sobia Fareed
Diane Green
Ruth Hart
Debbie Lanch
Susan Landes
Laura Nathan
Linda Price
Rabia Salim
Jo Scorah
Rachel Seymour
Samantha Sutherland
Shaista Zaheer
Amtul Aziz Mirza