Dining with Tradition: RMS Queen Mary’s Kosher Dinner Menu – 8 June 1936

📌 Explore the RMS Queen Mary’s 1936 Strictly Kosher Dinner Menu, reflecting Jewish dietary traditions at sea. This historical menu offers insights for genealogists, historians, and educators studying ocean travel and cultural cuisine.

One of the Paintings by Kenneth Shoesmith, R.I. Hung in the Tourist Writing Room Adorns the Front Cover of This Strictly Kosher Dinner Menu From Monday, 8 June 1936 Onboard the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard Line. The Bill of Fare Featured Boiled Fresh Salmon, Fried Haddock, and Corn on the Cob. GGA Image ID # 1562f5dcee

A Taste of Tradition at Sea 🛳🍽

The RMS Queen Mary’s Kosher Dinner Menu from 8 June 1936 is far more than just a list of dishes—it’s a cultural and historical artifact that speaks to the importance of religious dietary accommodations in ocean travel. As one of the most luxurious liners of the 1930s, the Queen Mary set a standard for inclusivity by providing a strictly kosher dining experience, supervised by the London Jewish Ecclesiastical Authorities.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this menu offers:

✅ A look at Jewish dietary laws and how they were observed aboard transatlantic liners

✅ A rare example of kosher meal planning on an iconic luxury ship

✅ Genealogical insights into Jewish travelers and religious customs at sea

✅ Culinary history, showcasing the kosher diet within fine ocean liner dining

📌 This isn’t just a meal—it’s a testament to the respect for tradition in international ocean travel.

Kashruth under the direct supervision of the London Jewish Ecclesiastical Authorities, headed by the Very Rev. Dr. J. H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire. Supervising Representative at Southampton - The Rev. M. L. Gordon.

Kosher Foods the the Role of the Shomer

Kosher foods are those that conform to the Jewish dietary regulations of kashrut (dietary law), primarily derived from Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Food that may be consumed according to halakha (law) is termed kosher. For many Jews, kosher is about more than just health or food safety. It is about reverence and adherence to religious tradition. In kosher restaurants, and ocean liner galleys, the stoves ovens and fryers are switched on by the Shomer  (Kosher Supervisor).

STRICTLY KOSHER DINNER MENU

On Cover: One of the Paintings by Kenneth Shoesmith, R.I. in the Tourist Writing Room on the RMS Queen Mary

RMS Queen Mary

Monday, 8 June 1936

• Iced Tomato Juice
• Fillet of Anchovies
• Green Olives
• Sardines in Oil
• Herrings in Tomato
• Salted Cucumbers
• Roll Mops
• Radishes
• Smoked Salmon

• Boiled Fresh Salmon and Cucumber
• Fried Haddock and Lemon

• Creamed Potato and Celery Soup

• Eggs Various -- To Order

• To Order: Plain, Spanish and Savory Omelettes

• Corn on Cob
• Buttered Spinach
• French Fried and Baked Jacket Potatoes

• Salads -- Lettuce, Tomatoes and Vegetable
• French and Russian Dressing

• Assorted French Pastry

• Milk Rice Pudding

• Pineapple and Raspberry Ice Cream and Wafers
• Cake
• Chocolate Creams
• Baked Apples

• Oranges
• Bananas
• Apples

• Tea
• Matzos
• Coffee

Kosher Menu Items, RMS Queen Mary, 8 June 1936. GGA Image ID # 1dea793df6

🍷 The Role of the Shomer: Ensuring Kosher Standards

One of the most fascinating details in this menu is the presence of a Shomer (kosher supervisor), Mr. D. Jachimowitz, ensuring that all food preparation adhered to Jewish dietary law. The mention of the stoves, ovens, and fryers being switched on by the Shomer highlights the strict observance of kashrut even aboard a luxury liner.

This attention to detail makes the menu a valuable educational resource for understanding how Jewish travelers maintained their religious customs while at sea.

🍽 A Menu that Blends Tradition & Fine Dining

The meal selection showcases a rich and varied kosher dining experience, offering traditional Jewish fare alongside popular luxury liner cuisine.

💠 Classic Kosher Starters:

Iced Tomato Juice, Salted Cucumbers, Roll Mops, and Smoked Salmon – A combination of fresh, pickled, and smoked flavors, reflecting Eastern European Jewish culinary influences.

💠 Main Course: A Seafood Focus:

Boiled Fresh Salmon & Cucumber / Fried Haddock & Lemon – Fish, a parve (neutral) food in kosher laws, was a staple for Jewish travelers. These dishes provided both simplicity and refinement.

💠 Vegetables & Sides:

Corn on the Cob, Buttered Spinach, French Fried & Baked Jacket Potatoes – Fresh and seasonal vegetables played a significant role in kosher cuisine, ensuring that dietary restrictions didn’t compromise taste.

💠 Sweet Treats & Beverages:

Pineapple & Raspberry Ice Cream, Chocolate Creams, Baked Apples, and Assorted French Pastry – These desserts highlight the blending of traditional Jewish sweets with fine European patisserie influences.

💠 Final Touch: Matzos & Tea:

The inclusion of Matzos, even outside Passover, emphasizes the importance of Jewish culinary customs in maintaining a kosher diet on board.

📌 This menu shows how ocean liners catered to religiously observant passengers while maintaining their reputation for fine dining.

🌟 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📜 "Front Cover Featuring a Painting by Kenneth Shoesmith"

A visually striking touch, the artwork by renowned maritime artist Kenneth Shoesmith connects elegance and culture with the dining experience. This also reflects how ships sought to create a refined atmosphere, even in dining menus.

📜 "Kosher Menu Items"

The detailed menu layout and listings provide a rare and valuable primary source for historians and genealogists studying Jewish life aboard transatlantic liners.

Who Should Explore This Menu? 🎯

👨‍🏫 For Teachers & Students:

🔹 A real-world example of religious accommodation in travel history

🔹 A case study in Jewish dietary laws & their implementation on ships

🔹 Insight into cultural diversity aboard ocean liners

📜 For Historians:

🔹 A unique perspective on kosher dining at sea

🔹 Documentation of Jewish religious observance in luxury travel

🔹 A primary source for pre-WWII Jewish transatlantic migration

🔍 For Genealogists:

🔹 A rare kosher menu reference, possibly useful for tracing Jewish ancestors who traveled on the Queen Mary

🔹 Clues about passenger demographics & Jewish communities using Cunard’s services

🚢 For Maritime & Ocean Travel Enthusiasts:

🔹 A fascinating piece of luxury liner history, showcasing how ships adapted to religious customs

🔹 A look into how Cunard maintained its reputation for world-class dining while catering to diverse passenger needs

Final Thoughts: More Than a Meal, A Reflection of Cultural Heritage 🌍🍷

The RMS Queen Mary’s Kosher Dinner Menu from 8 June 1936 is more than just a list of dishes—it’s a remarkable historical record that reflects the intersection of luxury, tradition, and cultural accommodation in transatlantic travel. This menu serves as a window into the lives of Jewish passengers, the meticulous adherence to kashrut, and the importance of fine dining on one of history’s most iconic ocean liners.

Would you have dined aboard the Queen Mary’s kosher menu? 🍽🛳✨