Levi Strauss: Jewish Jeans

Let us take a moment to highlight the legacy of American Jewish entrepreneur, Levi Strauss. Strauss was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria on February 26, 1829. He emigrated to New York in 1846 and began to work with his brothers at their company “J. Strauss brother & CO.” Strauss and his family relocated to San Francisco in 1853, and “Levi Strauss & CO.” was born. The company continued to grow with the improvements made to work pants, which would later be known as Levi’s iconic blue jeans. To this day Levi’s continues to produce that recognizable blue jean style.

Black and white photograph of workers posed in front of the Levi Strauss and Co. factory building. PC-4430. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Black and white photograph of Levi Strauss. PC-4430. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

A “Wild West” painting with a poster for Levi Strauss jeans. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

A denim Levi Strauss kippah, or Jewish head covering. MC-45. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.