The Southern Shmooze
September 2021
Hurricane Ida Recovery Update
On Sunday, August 29, Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana coast as a powerful Category 4 storm. By the time she passed New Orleans hours later, she had been downgraded to a Category 2. But that was enough to knock out electricity to the entire city.

Here's an on-the-ground report from New Orleans on this quickly-evolving story:

  • Power has already been restored to several neighborhoods in the city, including parts of the French Quarter, New Orleans East, Fontainebleau, Downtown, and University.
  • Our generator has kept the Museum at a constant temperature throughout, ensuring that exhibits and artifacts are environmentally protected.
  • All Museum staff members are safe and busy working on re-opening plans.
  • Our palm trees survived!
  • The City, along with State and Federal assistance, has set up meal and ice distribution points and cooling and charging stations across the city for those in need.
  • Grocery stores, some restaurants, and all hospitals are open.

We are heartened by countless scenes of business owners and neighbors across the city coming together to share resources, provide assistance to each other, and keep the spirit of this great city going strong! 

While New Orleans is on its way to recovery, communities to our south and west will take much longer to heal. If you'd like to help out anywhere, here are a few organizations that understand the local needs and have good track records of using donations wisely and efficiently:


We are grateful for the many messages of support we have received from so many of you. We are eager to reopen soon and welcome you through our doors. If you wish to support us from afar, please consider becoming a member.
L'Shana Tova! Happy New Year!
Starting clockwise, from top left, reproductions from: The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, Sept 30, 1913; Memphis Daily Appeal, Memphis, TN, Sept 25, 1870; The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, Sept 9, 1877; The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC, August 22, 1888; and The Opelika Observer, Opelika, AL, Sept 24, 1881.
As we look forward to a new year with hopes for health and happiness, let's take a look into the past at some of the ways Rosh Hashanah has been recognized in Southern newspapers. Note the sentiments of friendship and acceptance.

From past to present to future, in good times and bad, MSJE is here to remind the world that Southern Jews were here, are here, and will always be here. Help us to keep that promise...
Honoring our First Responders

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This September 11th, we take time to reflect on the national tragedy that occurred 20 years ago and remember the bravery and dedication of the many first responders who rushed to help. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, we are again reminded that in our times of greatest need, there are those who run toward the danger and stay after it has passed to serve our communities.

In special recognition of the day, all current and former first responders will be admitted into the museum free of charge Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th, with our thanks and gratitude. If storm recovery prevents us from being open those days, we will reschedule this opportunity.
Welcome, Lizzi Meister!
Public Programs Manager
We're excited to announce the addition of Lizzi Meister to our staff (and what a welcome she has had). Lizzi was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where her interest in engaging Jewish programming was sparked during thirteen summers in the Northwoods at Camp Interlaken JCC. Lizzi attended the University of British Columbia where she completed her BA in Anthropology, minored in History. After graduating, she moved to Mississippi to work at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life as a Community Engagement Fellow. There, Lizzi fell in love with the Southern Jewish experience. Wanting to expand her knowledge of museums, she decided to pursue a master's in Museology from the University of Washington. It was during those studies that Lizzi interned at the MSJE, remotely, as part of her coursework. She is excited to continue to weave her love of museums, programming, and Jewish stories at the MSJE as the Public Programs Manager.
Do you have programming ideas for MSJE?
Contact Lizzi Meister at, lizzi@msje.org.
Southern Jewish Historical Society Grant
MSJE is proud to announce that we are the recipients of the Southern Jewish Historical Society's Scott & Donna Langston Archival Grant! The Langston grants are intended to support projects that aim to preserve original historical documents, photos, and other primary sources. We are honored to accept this grant and use it toward the preservation and digitization of five critical collections within our museum.
This Month in Southern Jewish
Hurricane History
TEXAS: September 5, 2017
Israel announces that it will donate $1 million to the Jewish community of Houston to aid in the recovery caused by Hurricane Harvey's extensive flooding. Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett said, "...for years the Jewish communities stood by Israel when we needed their help; now it is our turn to stand by Houston's Jewish community." Five days of torrential rains from the stalled storm flooded synagogues, Jewish schools, and numerous Jewish organizations.
LOUISIANA: September 14, 2005
Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina sent ten feet of water into New Orleans' Beth Israel, Rabbi Isaac Leider of the Israeli volunteer group ZAKA hired a helicopter to fly him to within a mile of the shul and met with the FEMA search-and-rescue team appointed to retrieve the congregation's seven Torah scrolls. The group used rubber rafts to reach the building and enter it, where Leider waded into the sanctuary and rescued them. Unfortunately, they had been ruined by the flood waters and were later buried in Beth Israel Cemetery.
FLORIDA: September 18, 1992
Five synagogues in South Palm Beach County observe Selichot services together to raise money for victims of Hurricane Andrew, which had struck South Florida on August 24. The participating congregations included Temple Beth El of Boca Raton, B'nai Torah Congregation, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton Synagogue, and Delray Beach Temple Sinai.
NORTH CAROLINA: September 28, 1989
The Charlotte Observer reports that congregations across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia are scrambling to prepare for High Holiday services following the devastation brought by Hurricane Hugo, which had come ashore six days earlier at Sullivan's Island, SC. Congregants at Temple Beth El V'Shalom were urged to bring flashlights to Rosh Hashanah services, to be held at nearby Providence Baptist Church.
YOUR SUPPORT = YOUR MUSEUM
GIVE ONLINE
safely and easily at: www.msje.org/support

MAIL A CHECK
to PO Box 15071, New Orleans, LA 70175

DONATE FROM YOUR IRA
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as a recipient of your Donor Advised Fund

DONATE STOCK
or other marketable securities

INCLUDE MSJE
in your estate planning
Have questions about naming opportunities? Email emma@msje.org.
Shalom. Make yourself at home.®
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
818 Howard Avenue | New Orleans, LA 70113
504-384-2480
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Banner images (l-r): Members of Congregation Beth Israel in Clarksdale, MS, c. 1910. Collection of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience; Blue Star campers, North Carolina, 2016. Courtesy of Blue Star Camps.