Russ & Daughters History Goes on Display in New York

Don’t expect a platter of herring and bialys. But prepare to be hungry anyway at the new “Russ & Daughters: An Appetizing Story” exhibition produced by the American Jewish Historical Society at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan.

The exhibition, which is free and opens to the public on Friday, aims to teach visitors about the Russ & Daughters appetizing shop on the Lower East Side and its impact on New York’s rich food and cultural history.

Joel Russ’s first shop opened on Orchard Street in 1914. A few years later, he moved the store to its current location on East Houston Street. He had no sons and eventually named his three daughters as partners — changing the name J.R. Russ Cut Rate Appetizers to Russ & Daughters. The fourth generation of Russes now operates that shop and others.

Annie Polland, the executive director of the A.J.H.S., said she wanted to create an exhibition to share the Russ family’s archives, as well as artifacts from the historical society’s collection.