Courtesy of Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience as published in Forward

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, located at 818 Howard Ave., is housed in a historic building in the heart of the Warehouse District that has been converted from a former law firm into luxury apartments, office space, and the museum now occupying the bottom two floors of the building.

The Museum explores the many ways that Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their new homes. 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.

The Museum has more than 4,000 artifacts in its collection, including Judaica, household items, business records, photographs, letters, and other ephemera.

The Museum continues to grow its collection through donations of items but is selective in what it accepts. Physical space and the ability to properly conserve and store items limit what the Museum will accept into its collection. To find out more about what the Museum is looking to collect, click here.

The Museum has been collecting information on Southern Jewish communities since its inception. When the Museum expanded to become the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, the effort only accelerated. Now as the Museum charts its new course, it maintains ties with the ISJL by sharing research and resources. The most compelling resource is the Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities, an on-going effort to chronicle the experiences of Southern Jews in towns and cities across the region.

Exterior of the Museum. Photo Credit: Landis Construction Co., LLC

Their Current Exhibition is titled “Shalon Y’all: A Snapshot of Southern Jewish Life” and features photographs and memories from Bill Aron and Vicki Reikes Fox.

Check out their website, www.msje.org, for more information and to book your visit. Have a Southern Jewish experience that should be added to the Museum? Share your story here!

About Discover Downtown NOLA
Downtown New Orleans is home to a collection of neighborhoods including the Historic Lafayette Square, Warehouse District, Canal Street, Central Business District, Arts District, Gravier-Common, South Market District, Picayune Place, Riverfront as well as several industries such as Tourism, Hospitality, Sports & Entertainment, Culture, BioMedical, Financial, and Legal. Discover Downtown is an opportunity to spotlight all that Downtown has to offer for shopping, living, working and visiting.