A Tribe Apart: Jews of the American South

The Jewish Press ^ | Jason Maoz

[Bella_Bru]

There is a wonderful book called "Shalom, Y'All". It is a collection of photos from Southern Jewish communities.

[white trash redneck]

I just finished reading Eli Evans' biography of Judah Benjamin. What a remarkable individual! If he hadn't been on the Confederate side, I'm sure they'd have made a movie of his life.

More apropos, Evans also wrote a great book about southern Jews called "The Provincials."

[Convert from ECUSA]

"The only Hebrew war veterans cemetery outside Israel is located in Richmond, VA. and it is Confederate." http://www.jewish-history.com/shockoe.htm"

As a Virginian, I take some pride in the above information. And yes, the synagogue in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from where I live in Arlington, was burned down when the Yankees occupied that town. There is a plaque in Old Town Alexandria noting the original site of the synagogue.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!

[Alas Babylon!]

The movie, Driving Miss Daisy, is not just about an old Southern Lady, but an Old Jewish Southern Lady. Dan Arkroyd plays the son, a Jewish business man. Very good portayal of Southern Jews. Kind to folks all 'round, including blacks.

[judicial meanz]

There is also a Jewish cemetary that is preserved in the Shockoe Bottom section of Richmond, Va. It dates to 1790, and is well preserved, with brick walls, manicured grass, and a wrought iron fence.

Down the street from it is a synogogue that has been closed, and converted to apartments. Thats a crying shame.

[tuckrdout]

Thanks for the link! I am devouring it!

I love this:

Rabbi Hayim Tzvi Sneersohn, a great-grandson of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the "Alter Rebbe", visited the United States in 1869 on a mission for the Jewish community of Palestine. He was received at the White House by newly inaugurated President Ulysses Grant.

The Washington National Intelligencer described the reception of Rabbi Sneersohn, wearing traditional Yerushalmi costume, by the President of the United States.

Rabbi Sneersohn said, "Mr. President: Permit me to give my thanks to the Almighty, whose mercy brought me here to behold the face of the chosen by the millions of this great nation... I come to your Excellency from the East, to entreat you in the name of G-d, who created all men equal, to listen to the prayer of your humble servant, standing before you to advocate the cause of his oppressed brethren in the Holy Land. The Israelites in Palestine possess no political or civil rights whatever, and oftentimes deprived of protection by the representatives of the civilized nations which the Christians enjoy, are exposed to violence and arbitrary rule. The only shelter the Israelites occasionally find is in the courts of the different European consulates, where one of their co-religionists is employed either as interpreter or deputy consul, who convey their grievances to the proper channel. This free Republic alone, whose banner covers the oppressed, whose foundation is based on equality, toleration, and liberty of conscience, has no Israelites employed near the consul at Jerusalem. I do pray, therefore, your Excellency, to turn your attention to the deplorable condition of my brethren in the Orient, that the principles of this government may be truly embodied in its representatives abroad; and I do further pray that your Excellency may show me that mark of favor which will enable my brethren in the Holy Land in the hour of need to seek refuge under the Stars and Stripes, that this free country and its exalted chief should be blessed on the sacred spot of our common ancestors."

[tuckrdout]

A Jewish businessman who married a Christian and celebrated Christian holidays!

[gogogodzilla]

I used to have a t-shirt that said exactly that back when I was a kid.

[PAR35]

The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
http://www.msje.org/

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
http://www.msje.org/museum.html

[SJackson]

That.s the only Jewish military cemetary in existance outside Israel.

Interesting site with pics and a list of burials.

[Alouette]

Here's a trivia question to stump Yankees with:

The only Jewish military cemetery in the world outside of Israel is located here

[Alouette]

GMTA!!

[stainlessbanner]

Great links thank you both. An honorable sacrifice - they are not forgotton.

Another interesting note is the mysterious history of the Melungeons of East Tennessee. Some claim they are decendants from one of the lost tribes of Israel.

[judicial meanz]

I couldnt find a picture, but here is a link that describes the cemetary I was talking about:

http://www.cvco.org/tourism/histrich/jews.html

Heres a comprehensive list of Virginia Jewish cemetaries and where they are located:

http://www.cvco.org/tourism/histrich/jews.html

[af_vet_1981]

They are not the Jews of bagels and lox brunches with the Sunday New York Times. They do not necessarily get the humor of a Woody Allen movie all of which any pagan could do and has nothing to do with being Jewish.

[petitfour]

ping

[Convert from ECUSA]

Thanks for posting the pictures and the links, SJ! Ping of interest to IAF ThunderPilot.

[ILuvW]

"There is a wonderful book called "Shalom, Y'All". It is a collection of photos from Southern Jewish communities."

It was also made into a short documentary film in 2003 that often times shows on the Independent Film Channel and Sundance. It's very interesting and quite funny. Among many other folks, Kinky Friedman (currently running for the Governor of Texas) is interviewed and is, as usual, hilarious. When he was a full time musician, his rock band was called "the Texas Jew Boys".

[stand watie]

!!!!!!!!!!!!