Okay, okay – so Halloween isn’t exactly a “Jewish holiday.” But considering that the dominant theme on October 31st is chocolate (witches and goblins decidedly take a back seat to Snickers Bars and M&Ms), it seems like a perfectly good time to celebrate Jewish and Israeli chocolate makers.  Over the last few years, the chocolate industry has grown significantly in Israel, with many new boutique chocolate stores and manufacturers popping up around the country.  And in America, Jews continue to contribute to the industry, creating some of the world’s most renowned chocolate.

Below the jump, we’ve compiled a list of some of today’s most innovative Jewish chocolate makers – folks like Chuck Siegel, the official chocolate maker for Google, who started his company in the kitchen of the San Francisco JCC – and Netanya’s Choconoy, an Israeli company with a special mission.

Read below for the whole list…

Top Jewish & Israeli Chocolate Makers

Charles’ Chocolates
Veteran candy maker, Chuck Siegel, started making his signature line of truffles out of the San Francisco JCC’s kitchen. These days, his confections can be found at Whole Foods stores and at Google’s California headquarters, where he holds the title of official Chocolatier.  Product to try: Tea Truffle – Siegel partners with a local Berkeley teahouse to infuse these truffles with the delicate flavor of lichee, jasmine, or oolong tea.

Katia’s Handmade Chocolate Truffles
The daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, Katherine (or Katia) Zinger now lives and creates her chocolates in Seattle. Starting with Scharffen Berger chocolate, Zinger sources ingredients from local farmers and food purveyors, giving her candy sustainable flair.  Product to try: Malina Truffle – This truffle combines raspberries with organic cream, dark chocolate and a shake of cocoa powder.

Netanya’s Choconoy
“Special chocolate by special people,” is an apt motto for Israeli chocolate company, Choconoy, which holds a mission to create employment opportunities for people with special needs. Their artistically painted pralines define the category: “Shoko-Art.”  Product to try: Colombian Coffee Praline – This dark chocolate praline is studded with Colombian coffee beans.

David Lebovitz
During his years working at Alice Waters’ renowned sustainable restaurant, Chez Panisse, pastry chef, David Lebovitz, learned that the best desserts start with the freshest local ingredients. It seems he also picked up a trick or two about chocolate along the way.  Product to Try: The Great Book of Chocolate – Lebovitz’s ode-to-chocolate includes enough recipes, chocolate tips, and historical factoids to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Max Brenner
Israelis Oded Brenner and Max Fichtman combined their entrepreneurial spirits, as well as their names, to create an internationally celebrated chocolate brand. Purchased in 2001 by Strauss-Elite, Max Brenner continues to spread its delicious “chocolate culture” across the world.  Product to Try: Dark Hot Chocolate Powder – Hot chocolate drinks get off to a luscious start with Max Brenner’s signature 100% dark chocolate powder.

Joseph Schmidt
Long before Joseph Schmidt became known as the “Rodin of Chocolate,” he spent his childhood in Israel. He immigrated to America in his 20s, eventually settling in the chocolate hub city of San Francisco.  Product to Try: Pomegranate Truffle – Joseph Schmidt truffles (known as “American Truffles”) are known for their distinctive egg shape, firm outer shell and decadently smooth centers.

Scharffen Berger
One half of the famous Scharffen Berger chocolate brand, Robert Steinberg, was a Member of the Tribe.  (Sadly, he recently passed away at the age of 61). Together with his business partner and company namesake, John Scharffenberger, Steinberg  revolutionized the contemporary field of artisan chocolate production.

For more information on Jewish and Israeli chocolate makers, check out the blog Chocolate Speak.  And to find other delicious, kosher chocolates to try this Halloween, or all year round, check out The Jew & The Carrot’s Kosher, Sustainable Chocolate List.

Photo Credit: Table Talk