History Department

Jewish Heritage Tours

Jewish Heritage Tours of the South

The ISJL can now help plan your group’s trip to the South. Travel along the Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans discovering the sights, sounds, and tastes of southern Jewish culture! This route offers a fascinating journey through the Deep South’s distinct Jewish history and culture.  The trip also highlights the history of the Delta blues and the Civil Rights Movement.

Visit historic southern congregations and let members of the Jewish community welcome you with true southern hospitality. Taste authentic southern cuisine, meet local musicians, and take in the unique landscape of this part of the country.

In addition to the Memphis to New Orleans route, we can build a variety of trips through different southern states, emphasizing southern Jewish life, civil rights history, and southern culture.

Let our staff create a custom itinerary for your group of congregants, seniors, teens, or college students. Using our contacts in the region, we can plan a variety of themed trips that feature programs like alternative spring break or social action projects.

We will use our resources and expertise to custom design a self-guided tour for your group, or you can choose to include an expert tour guide and lecturer to further enrich your experience.

For more information about this enriching opportunity please contact Rachel Jarman Myers at rjarman@isjl.org; or 601-362-6357

Sample Itinerary Highlights

• Visit historic congregations in Greenville, Greenwood and Natchez Mississippi
• Hear from community leaders about their experience being Jewish in the South
• Visit historic landmarks important to the story of the Civil Rights Movement like the COFO House in Jackson and National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

• Go on an Antebellum Home tour in Natchez, Mississippi

• Tour the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of American music
• Experience a guided tour of Jewish New Orleans
• Eat the best Fried Chicken in Mississippi