'Jews of the Valley'

By PAT STANLEY
Register Staff Writer

A beaded cape created more than 150 years ago and worn by one of the first Jewish settlers in the Napa Valley will be unveiled Sunday as a focal point of "Jews of the Valley," part of the Napa Valley Museum's permanent exhibition.

The cape, worn by Clara Levinson (circa 1885), was loaned for the exhibit by her granddaughter, Claire Erks. Levinson later married and became Clara Levinson Levy.

The exhibit will join of the Yountville museum's "Land and People of the Napa Valley," a permanent display that features the unique environment and history of the Napa region. Existing displays explore the county's geography, geology, the Wappo Native Americans, the era under Mexican rule, pioneers and early settlers, its Chinese contributions, agriculture and wine, mining, transportation and hot spring resorts.

"Jews of the Valley" shows how Jewish people were "part of the fabric of life" of Napa Valley and the Bay Area, said historian and museum curator Sue Morris, who will talk about that history at Sunday's event.

The new addition is a collaboration with the museum and the Jewish Historical Society of Napa Valley, a non-profit organization created two and a half years ago and devoted to preserving Jewish heritage. Society co-chairwoman Donna Mendlesohn said the display is the second major project for the group, which numbers more than 125 members. The first was to publish "Under the Vine and Fig Tree," a book exploring the history of Jews in the Napa Valley.

Other items in the new display include a century-old shofar -- a ram's horn used to call people to prayer, especially on high holy days. The shofar is a well-known symbol of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and is one of the earliest instruments used in Jewish music, making its first appearance more than 5,000 years ago.

An antique bottle from the 19th century from the original Levinson pharmacy in Napa will also be on display, along with a brass Hanukkah lamp, or Jewish candelabra, from the late 1800s, and opera glasses from the Rozaline Johnson family.

In addition to items on display in a large glass-enclosed case, other Jewish artifacts are stored in drawers accompanying the display and are easily pulled out for viewing, Morris said.

"You'll end up knowing about these families," she said.

Amongst her favorite pieces in display drawers is some music from 1915 titled "Land of the Poppy." Morris said the composition was written by Barney Levy and submitted to John Philip Souza with hopes it would be included in the 1915 Pan Pacific International Exposition, a world fair in San Francisco to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal.

"Sousa liked it but didn't take it ... because Barney was an unknown," she said.

The museum is located on the grounds of the Veterans Home of California in Yountville. "Jews of the Valley" will open with a presentation by Morris at 3 p.m., delving into the history of Jews in the Napa Valley, their community, commerce and commitment. A wine reception is planned from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For reservations to Sunday's free program, call 944-0500, ext. 100.

The museum's regular hours are daily except Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for students and seniors, and $2.50 for youth 7 to 17. Children under 7 are admitted free. Mondays are free.

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