January 23, 2023

Dillard University re-launches national Black-Jewish relations center

On Jan. 17, Dillard University President Rochelle Ford announced plans to relaunch the Dillard University National Center for Black-Jewish Relations. The reinvigorated center will continue the work of the initial center, which aimed to reduce hostilities that were emerging between members of the African American […]
January 22, 2023

Limmud New Orleans registration opens, speakers announced

The first list of sessions for LimmudFest New Orleans has been released, with speakers presenting a wide range of talks and discussions for the weekend of Jewish learning. Over 70 sessions will be led by local, regional and national presenters, all of whom are volunteering […]
January 19, 2023

Schmidt’s Jewish Texas art displayed at Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience

“Torah Reading.” Maurice Schmidt, 1986. San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts “God, Goats and Pickup Trucks: Maurice Schmidt’s Visions of Texas” will be the first fine art painting exhibit at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans. The exhibit will open on […]
January 18, 2023

New IDF fitness center honors Alabama’s Lenora Pate

Steven Brickman in front of Israel’s new Lenora W. Pate Fitness Facility By Richard Friedman When Birmingham’s Lenora Pate died in June 2021, the Jewish community lost a friend. A devout Christian, Lenora was married to Steven Brickman, a longtime Jewish community volunteer leader. There […]
January 15, 2023

Selma tornado narrowly misses Mishkan Israel

Screenshot of drone footage of downtown Selma after a large, long-track tornado tore through the city on Jan. 12. Mishkan Israel, the city’s lone synagogue, is in the upper right corner. Footage courtesy Rex Jones of Cougar Oil. Mishkan Israel, the historic synagogue in downtown […]
January 13, 2023

“Violin of the Flowers” to be played in New Orleans

During the Violins of Hope programs in New Orleans, the featured violin will be the Katrin violin, which is also referred to as the “Violin of the Flowers.” The Katrin violin is a relatively recent acquisition, which the Weinsteins worked on in 2021. It came […]
January 13, 2023

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience acquires Kindertransport violin

While the Violins of Hope will be visiting New Orleans from Jan. 24 to 28, another violin from that era will be displayed as a new acquisition of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience — from a participant in the Kindertransport rescue of Jewish […]
January 13, 2023

Violins of Hope coming to New Orleans for week of programs

Four “Violins of Hope” will be visiting New Orleans this month, bearing witness to a handful of the millions of individual tragedies of the Holocaust. The Violins of Hope are violins that were played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, often in concentration camps. Some […]
January 8, 2023

After backlash, Endymion announces Mel Gibson won’t ride as co-Grand Marshal

Mel Gibson. Credit: Made In Hollywood/Flickr. Updated throughout, Jan. 8 at 3:45 p.m. following Endymion’s announcement. Updated 5:45 p.m. with statement from Jewish community organizations. After a quick and vociferous backlash, the Krewe of Endymion announced that Mel Gibson “will not ride” as co-Grand Marshal […]