
Photo EssayHow The Halvah Gets Made
Presto! Halvah! Image by Joyva
Photo EssayHow The Halvah Gets Made
1 / 7
Sesame seeds at the Joyva factory in Brooklyn. Photo by Amy Oringel
2 / 7
Joyva uses between 3 and 4 million pounds of sesame seeds every year. They mainly come from Texas. Photo by Amy Oringel
3 / 7
Seeds are transferred to standing tubs filled with water and are mixed by hand. Photo by Amy Oringel
4 / 7
Seeds are transferred into ovens where they are roasted. They are then ground with what is essentially a gigantic mortar and pestle, and combined with other ingredients. Photo by Amy Oringel
5 / 7
Seeds are funneled into huge metal vats of saltwater so that the seeds can be separated from the hulls. Photo by Amy Oringel
6 / 7
Halvah is cut and shaped for packing. Photo by Amy Oringel
7 / 7
Presto! Halvah! Photo by Jovyah
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
