The Southern Shmooze
February 2022
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It's the most wonderful time of the year (if you're in New Orleans)! Carnival season is upon us, with parades, festivities, and parties all leading up to Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, on March 1. Mardi Gras is, of course, originally a Christian celebration–the last day of plenty before the deprivations of Lent leading to Easter. But there is a Jewish side to Mardi Gras, too, which points to an ever-evolving Southern Jewish experience, especially in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
Was the first King of Mardi Gras really a Jew? How many Jewish krewes are there in New Orleans? Was there ever a Jewish Mardi Gras king in the 20th century? How does Notorious R.B.G fit into all this?
Find out the answer to the last question by visiting the Museum between now and Mardi Gras and taking your picture with Krewe du Mishigas's 2020 Ruth Bader Ginsburg float.
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Sculpture designed by Diane Lundeen. Donated in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by the Krewe de Mishigas. |
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King David of Mardi Gras? |
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You may have heard that the first King of Carnival, or Rex, was a Jewish man named Louis Solomon. Well, yes and no. It is true that the New Orleans businessman organized the first Rex organization and ball in 1872, and it is true that Solomon was born Jewish, but it is also true that Solomon had converted to Catholicism a decade earlier just before enlisting to fight for the Confederacy. A Carnival curiosity, nonetheless.
But look no further than Biloxi, Mississippi, 83 years later, and we get Dave Rosenblum, local merchant and mensch, reigning as King d'Iberville of the 1955 Gulf Coast Carnival Association's Mardi Gras celebration. Rosenblum owned David's and Rosenblum's, two popular dress shops in downtown Biloxi, as well as Kean's children stores in Biloxi and nearby Gulfport. Unlike Solomon, Rosenblum was an active member of the Jewish community and was a founder of the Gulf Coast B'nai B'rith Lodge. In fact, he served as its president the same year he reigned as king. How's that for a Southern Jewish experience!
Side Note: Despite her Jewish-sounding name, Mary Jo Sternberg was not Jewish. Maybe somewhere in the family's past?
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Image: The Daily Herald, Biloxi, MS, February 22, 1955
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If you've been to the Museum, then you've seen our Summer Camp Sweethearts wall, where we display photos of couples who met at a Jewish summer camp in the South, like Naomi Schiffman Orlansky and Larry Orlansky.
Visitors tell us all the time that they know of other camp sweetheart stories (often their own story). So we're putting out the call again.
Were you a camper or a counselor at a Jewish summer camp in the South who married your camp sweetheart? For many Jewish kids growing up in the South, particularly in small towns, summer camping is an important way to meet and socialize with other Jewish youth. Many life-long relationships develop–and some lead to the chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy).
If you met your spouse at Greene, Barney, Coleman, Darom, Blue Star, Jacobs, CYJ, Echo Hill Ranch, or some other Southern Jewish summer camp and you have photos like these that you'd like to share, we'd love to see them. Click below for a simple way to share...
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Exhibition Update
Voices in the Collection: Shalom Y’all Memories
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In Judaism, storytelling is key to passing down history, values, and traditions, from the Passover Seder to the Purim spiel to Mi Yimalel (Who can retell?).
Our Museum’s Permanent Collection contains thousands of stories of Southern Jewish experiences, brought to life through family photographs, travel trunks, quilts, and handwritten letters. One of the most compelling ways to hear a story, however, is in the person’s own voice. Oral histories are one of our most valuable resources.
This month (beginning February 16), we invite you to visit the expanded presentation of our Shalom Y’all: A Snapshot of the Jewish South exhibition. It will feature never-before-told stories narrated by Bill Aron and Vicki Reikes Fox of their experiences photographing Jewish communities throughout the American South in the 1980s and 1990s. These memories expand and enrich our understanding of these Jewish communities. As a sneak peek, click here to listen to Bill describe his memories of Reuben Greenberg (shown here), the first Black police chief of Charleston and member of Synagogue Emanu-El. While we wish we had the opportunity to hear Chief Greenberg’s memories in his own voice, we appreciate Bill for sharing his memory with us.
See the expanded Shalom Y'all exhibition through April 24 2022. Photo by Bill Aron.
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Save the Date!
Help us celebrate our birthday this June
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To celebrate our successes and the Museum–made possible by our supporters, members, board, volunteers, and staff–MSJE will host a Birthday Celebration, June 11-12, 2022. This will be the first major in-person celebration for the entire MSJE community and will include a Founding Donor Patron Party, Jazz Brunch, Special Exhibition Opening Reception, Family Birthday Party, and more!
Be on the lookout for more details in the coming months. And mark your calendars!
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Want to be a sponsor of our June celebration? Contact Emma Herr about corporate and family opportunities: emma@msje.org or (504) 384-2480 x103
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Upcoming Events:
A Conversation with Author T.K. Thorne
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T.K. Thorne, author of Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days, will be at the Museum, Sunday, February 6 from 3:00-4:30pm Central, to discuss this fascinating book, which peels back history’s veil to reveal little-known or never-told stories of an intriguing cast of characters including progressive members of the Jewish, Christian, and educational communities who helped bring about justice and forward racial equality and civil rights.
This event is hosted in partnership with JNOLA and the Goldring Family Foundation Center for Jewish-Multicultural Affairs, which are part of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.
MSJE Members will receive 15% off book purchases and will be given priority at the book signing following the event. If you would like to become a Member, Click Here.
Attend in person or virtually!
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A House Divided: Southern Jews during the Civil War
with the Shapell Manuscript Foundation
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Join the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience and the Shapell Manuscript Foundation virtually, Thursday, February 17, from 6:00-7:00pm Central, for a conversation about Jewish Southerners’ involvement in the Civil War. Highlighting artifacts from MSJE’s permanent collection, this interactive discussion will explore themes, experiences, and individual stories of Jewish Confederates during the Civil War.
Image: Leon Fischel in his Confederate uniform, Vicksburg, MS, c. 1863.
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Store Items of the Month: Mardi Gras Merch!
Show off your Southern Jewish pride
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It's officially Carnival Season and the MSJE Store is fully stocked so you can
let the good times roll! Koozies, festive socks, Mardi Gras mezuzahs,
necklaces, cups, and more!
Use code KREWE22 for 10% off your online or in-store purchases during the entire month of February.
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Plan your next event with us!
Museum Rental Options
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The Museum can be an ideal place for your next board meeting, cocktail reception, bar or bat mitzvah celebration, holiday party, or private group tour of our award-winning exhibits. |
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Package A: During Hours of Operation–Event Space
(10am-5pm)
- Tables, chairs, linens
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Water/coffee service
- HDMI plug in to projector
- Group admission rate available for additional purchase
Package B: During Hours of
Operation–Conference Room Space (10am-5pm)
- Boardroom table and chairs
- Water/coffee service
- HD videoconferencing camera
- Group admission rate available for additional purchase
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Package C: After Hours Event
(Exhibits & Event Space)
- Tables, chairs, linens
- Water/coffee service
- HDMI plug in to projector
- Entry for all guests into the exhibits
- Security provided by local police detail
Package D: Extended Hours
(Exhibits Only)
- 2-hour block: 5-7pm, 6-8pm, 7-9pm
- Entry for all guests into the exhibits
- Security provided by local police detail
All packages include 10% discount in the Museum Store
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For more information on Museum rental options, email Abbey.
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This Month in Southern Jewish History |
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VIRGINIA: February 10, 1971
Rebecca Pearl Lovenstein dies in New York City. An immigrant from Vilna, Russia, Lovenstein grew up in Durham, NC, and eventually settled in Richmond. After attending law school at night while taking care of her children during the day, she campaigned to have women be allowed to practice law in the state and, in 1920, became the first woman admitted to the bar in Virginia. She is buried in Beth-El Cemetery in Richmond.
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TEXAS: February 11, 1921
The Jewish Monitor, published weekly in Dallas, issues its first annual Waco Edition, complete with biographical sketches of Rabbis Wolfe Macht and Isaac Siegel, businessmen Louey Migel and Asher Sanger, and Waco founder Jacob DeCordova. Also included are the goings-on at Congregation Rodef Sholom, the B'nai B'rith's Eureka Lodge, the Council of Jewish Women, and The Progress Club.
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NEW ORLEANS: February 12, 2022
New Orleans' TWO Jewish parading krewes hit the streets of the Faubourg Marigny and the French Quarter spreading satire, ribaldry, and golden bagels. Krewe du Jieux marches in krewedelusion, and Krewe du Mishigas marches in Krewe du Vieux. Confused? 🎶If you're going to New Orleans, you ought to go see the Mardi Gras! 🎶
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KENTUCKY: February 13, 1939
Louis Brandeis retires from the bench after serving 23 years on the Supreme Court. Born in Louisville to Jewish immigrants from Prague, Brandeis became the first Jew to sit on the nation's highest court after being nominated by President Woodrow Wilson and confirmed by the Senate. A progressive jurist, Brandeis also became a leading voice in the American Zionist movement.
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FLORIDA: February 22, 1939
The Jewish community of Miami takes pride when Jewish Heavyweight contender Abe Feldman meets Tony Galento in Burdine Stadium. Unfortunately, Feldman goes down in the third round, losing on a TKO. However, on the undercard, Jewish fighter Solly Kreiger defended his Middleweight Championship against challenger Ben Brown. Jewish mothers throughout Miami just hoped nobody got hurt.
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ALABAMA: February 23, 1900
Mishkan Israel Synagogue is dedicated in Selma. At the time, Selma had a thriving Jewish population and Jewish merchants like Teppers, Kaysers, Liepolds, Rothchilds, Adler Furniture, Benish and Meyer Tobacco, Siegel Automobile Company, Barton’s Bargain Store, Bendersky’s and Eagles dominated the shopping district. Today the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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So Many Ways to Support MSJE... |
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GIVE ONLINE
MAIL A CHECK
to PO Box 15071, New Orleans, LA 70175
DONATE FROM YOUR IRA
required distribution
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DESIGNATE MSJE
as a recipient of your Donor Advised Fund
DONATE STOCK
or other marketable securities
INCLUDE MSJE
in your estate planning
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Shalom. Make yourself at home.®
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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 Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience; Blue Star campers, North Carolina, 2016. Courtesy of Blue Star Camps.
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