The Southern Shmooze
May 2021
|
|
Greetings!
If you haven't already heard, I am thrilled to tell you that the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience will be opening to the public on Thursday, May 27. This day has been a long time coming and is the result of visionary leadership, tremendous hard work, and the support of hundreds of people just like you.
When New Orleans was chosen as the site for MSJE's rebirth, the Museum's chair, Jay Tanenbaum, and vice-chairs, Morris Mintz and Rusty Palmer, had already done a ton of groundwork laying out a vision for our relocation from Mississippi. When the need arose for them to hire a director for the project, I eagerly threw my hat in the ring. As mine was the only hat thrown, their choice was an easy one, I am happy to say.
Now, three years later, we've renovated our 105-year-old Museum space, hired an incredibly dedicated and creative staff, designed and installed world-class exhibits, and grown our Museum family from just a handful of early supporters to more than 800 individual donors from 36 states and thousands of social media followers and Southern Shmooze readers!
Our success going forward will rely on our entire Museum family of staff, board, volunteers, members, and supporters. This is YOUR museum. That's why we always say, "Shalom. Make yourself at home."
See you soon,
|
|
Kenneth Hoffman, Executive Director |
|
Since we first announced our Preview Opening date last month, we've received many questions about visiting the Museum. Here are some answers:
What do you mean by Preview Opening? Do I have to be invited? Is this just a one-day opportunity to see the Museum?
- Nope, the Museum is opening on May 27 and will be in regular operation moving forward. We're calling this our Preview Opening because we are saving our Grand Opening celebration until October, when more of you from around the country can join us in New Orleans.
Is there a special ceremony planned for May 27?
-
The special ceremony will be you walking through our door!
Can I buy a ticket online?
- Not yet, but we're working on it. Stay tuned!
Do I have to buy a ticket online?
- No, you will be able to purchase admission at the Museum. Be aware that there may be a line or a brief wait as we accommodate for current capacity restrictions.
What are your days/hours of operation?
- Open six days a week, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed Tuesdays.
How much is admission?
-
Adults (18-64) $15
-
Seniors, Students w/ID, Active Military $13
-
Children (6-17) $10
-
Children under 6 FREE
-
Members FREE
Can I purchase a membership?
- Not yet, but soon. Annual memberships are an important way for you to remain an active part of our Museum family. With levels featuring different benefits, you'll be able to choose the one that's right for you and your family.
What Covid precautions do you have in place?
- We follow all state and local mandates regarding masking and capacity limits, as well as CDC recommendations for public spaces.
- At present, masks are required and appropriate social distancing is practiced.
- Visitors will be given a stylus to use on interactive touch screens.
- The Museum facilities and exhibits are cleaned daily and throughout the day.
Do you have a Museum Store where I can purchase Judaica, gifts, and souvenirs?
How long does a typical Museum visit last?
- While there are different types of Museum goers, the average visit will last about 60-90 minutes. This includes viewing our brief orientation film, exploring our exhibits, and shopping in our Museum Store.
What will the October 2/3 celebration weekend entail?
- What would you like it to entail? Our Museum is your Museum. Tell us below how you think we should celebrate in October, when more folks can join us in New Orleans.
|
|
We're Saving a Spot for Your Congregation
|
|
Just as mezuzahs come in different shapes and sizes, so too do congregations. Whether yours is old or new, Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform, traditional or contemporary, each has its own history as an important part of the Southern Jewish experience.
As we get closer to opening the Museum, we're hearing from more and more people asking if their congregation can be represented on our Mezuzah Wall. The answer is a hearty YES!
How It Works:
|
|
1. After joining the Mezuzah Society, we send your congregation a limited edition mezuzah, hand-made by acclaimed Southern Jewish glass artist Andrew Jackson Pollack, to commemorate the opening of the Museum. We hope that all of our congregations will proudly display their MSJE mezuzahs as a symbol of their unique Southern Jewish experience. |
|
2. Your congregation then sends us a mezuzah of significance to them, along with a bit about their history. |
|
3. We affix your congregational mezuzah on our Mezuzah Wall – an artful assemblage that has already grown to more than 100 mezuzahs from across the South. Visitors from your town and around the globe will be able to learn about your congregation’s history.
|
|
If your congregation wants to join the Mezuzah Society: |
|
GiveNOLA Day is Tuesday, May 4th |
|
Like many cities, New Orleans sets aside a special day to focus people's attention on the many worthy non-profits in the community that rely on support from the public.
GiveNOLA Day is May 4th. This year, we've set an ambitious goal of raising $18,000. We've already raised nearly 20% of that through several early-giving donations.
So, what do you say, New Orleans*? Will you help us reach our GiveNOLA Day goal?
|
|
*Pssst, you don't have to be from New Orleans to make a donation to the Museum on GiveNOLA Day. |
|
Meet Our Newest Board Member |
|
A museum is only as strong as its board of directors, those committed women and men who volunteer their time to oversee the museum's governance, spearhead its fundraising efforts, and help its staff fulfill the museum's mission. We are pleased to introduce our newest board member, Morris Lewis. |
|
Morris, known as "Lew" to family and friends, grew up in Indianola, MS, and Atlanta, GA. He has family roots in Lexington, MS, where his 3x great grandfather arrived from Württemberg in the 1840s and a great grandfather immigrated from Poland in the 1890s. Lew also has roots in South Boston, VA. He and his wife, Stacey, live in Caldwell, NJ and have three sons and one very special granddaughter, Emery. They are active in their synagogue, Congregation Agudath Israel, and Lew has been a board member of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life since 2015. Among Lew's passions is genealogy, which, in turn, has led to an interest in Southern Jewish history and the Museum.
"Being Jewish in the South was a dichotomy–a sense of belonging, but an 'otherness' that allowed us to maintain our unique identity as Jews."
|
|
This Month in Southern Jewish History
|
|
Congregation Beth Israel in the Delta town of Clarksdale holds its deconsecration service as the 20 remaining congregants decide they can no longer sustain a congregation. Built in 1929, the building was the congregation's second permanent home, having outgrown their 1910 building. The service served as a homecoming for several hundred former residents of Clarksdale. Beth Israel's two torahs were passed on, one to Camp Blue Star, in North Carolina, and the other going to a new congregation forming in Poland. |
|
Desha County surpasses its Jewish Relief Quota of $1,800 by raising $2,500 for the national campaign aimed at supporting Jewish refugees in Europe following World War I. Rabbi Louis Witt of Little Rock raised $900 in Dumas, $1,500 in McGehee, and $100 in Walnut Lake. The country chairman of the relief effort was Charles Dante of Dumas. The state chairman of the Arkansas Relief Committee notified the New York headquarters of the county's impressive achievement by telegram. |
|
Michael Ash, of the Piney Woods town of Palestine, dies at the age of 51. Born in Prussia, Ash became a successful merchant and banker in Texas, doing business in Nacogdoches and Huntsville before settling in Palestine. In his will he left $1,000 toward the building of a synagogue in town, $500 each to the Jewish orphans homes in New Orleans, Cleveland, and New York City, and $800 for care of the local Jewish cemetery, among other bequests to the city's poor. |
|
The Miami News reports that an estimated 5,000 people gathered in Flamingo Park the previous evening to celebrate the announcement of Israel's independence. Speakers included I.R. Goodman, chairman of the Greater Miami Zionist Emergency Council, Rabbi Max Shapiro of Beth David Congregation, Rabbi Colman Zwitman of Temple Israel, and Dr. David Andron, head of the Jewish Academy. Rabbi Joseph Rackovsky, of the Jewish Orthodox Congregation of Miami Beach, sounded the shofar.
|
|
Anniston police chief Harry Shiretzki is shot and killed by the operator of a local speakeasy. His funeral was held three days later at Temple Beth El, with Rabbi David Marx of Atlanta officiating. All downtown stores were closed, church bells rang, and thousands of Anniston citizens followed the hearse and Shiretzki's horse to the temple. The mayor, former mayor, fire chief, and other city officials attended the service. According to The Montgomery Times, Shiretzki "was beloved by Jew and Gentile alike."
|
|
The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience opens in New Orleans, dedicated to exploring the many ways that Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their communities. Through exhibits, collections and programs focused on the unique and remarkable history of Southern Jews, the Museum encourages new understanding and appreciation for identity, diversity, and acceptance. |
|
Do you have a This Month in Southern Jewish History item to share with us for our June issue? Send it to info@msje.org.
|
|
YOUR SUPPORT = YOUR MUSEUM
|
|
GIVE ONLINE
MAIL A CHECK
to PO Box 15071, New Orleans, LA 70175
DONATE FROM YOUR IRA
required distribution
|
|
DESIGNATE MSJE
as a recipient of your Donor Advised Fund
DONATE STOCK
or other marketable securities
INCLUDE MSJE
in your estate planning
|
|
Shalom. Make yourself at home.®
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
