Join Kosher X as we explore the quaint beauty and history of America's "Old South".  Enjoy real Southern hospitality while exploring historic Civil & Revolutionary War sites and 300 years of Southern Jewish history. Experience lecture series from prominent historians as we visit vibrant Savannah, stately Charleston and quaint Beaufort.  

 

The Jewish South: Today, most people don't think of Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., as major centers of the American-Jewish population. In earlier times, however, these cities were home to some of America's largest and most vibrant Jewish communities. A friendly rivalry has existed between Savannah and Charleston as to which is the older Jewish community. Savannah can date its origins as an organized Jewish settlement to 1733, its congregation to 1735. However, periodic losses of population led to lapses and revivals. Charleston can date its first Jew of record to 1695 and by 1800 Charleston (and its surrounding areas) had the largest Jewish population of any city in the United States, numbering about 2000.  Today both communities are still strong and proud of their local history and heritage and all they have contributed.  Join Kosher X as we explore this fascinating history as our guides and lecturers bring to life the region’s rich Jewish history and heritage! 

  

Charleston, South Carolina: 

Discover a place where the past is still present...where gas-lit lamps flicker in warm southern breezes and cobblestone streets pave the way to intriguing boutiques and history. Step into the genteel lifestyle of 18th and 19th century Charleston society. Sense the enchantment of secret gardens, hidden alleys, and picturesque cobblestone streets. Explore pirate history, civil war forts, ancient graveyards and some of America's oldest public buildings. Stroll through 330 years of fascinating history and rich culture. 

 

South Carolina’s Jewish Heritage: Most of Carolina's first Jewish settlers traced their roots to Spain or Portugal. Expelled during the Inquisition at the end of the 15th century, the Sephardim dispersed around the globe and established themselves in capitals and port cities in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the West Indies. In 1749, Charleston's Jewish community chartered Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim – one of the first five Jewish congregations in America. Like her sister synagogues in New York, Newport, Savannah, and Philadelphia, Beth Elohim was Sephardi in ritual and practice. Charleston's congregation remained so for two generations after the Revolutionary War, though by then the majority of South Carolina Jews were Ashkenazi, hailing from central or Eastern Europe.  By 1800 there were about 2,000 Jews in South Carolina (overwhelmingly Sephardic and settled in Charleston), which was more than in any other U.S. state at that time, and more than any other town, city, or place in North America.  Charleston remained the unofficial capital of North American Jewry until about 1830, when the increasing number of Ashkenazi German Jews emigrating to America largely settled in New Orleans, Richmond, Savannah, Baltimore, and the north-east, eventually surpassing the mostly Sephardic Jewish community in Charleston.  Charleston Jews played prominent roles throughout the history of the community including both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.  Today Charleston boasts a strong Jewish community and like Savannah proud of their city’s history and heritage and the contributions they have made to it. 

 

Savannah, Georgia: 

Savannah enjoys a unique blend of history, Southern charm and unrivaled hospitality that makes it a jewel nestled along the South Atlantic coast. Called the "Hostess City of the South", Conde Nast Traveler named Savannah as one of the top 10 U.S. cities to visit. Savannah offers an enchanting stroll back in time and an invitation to uncover its hidden charms. Bits and pieces of Savannah's rich, colorful history adorn virtually every corner of the downtown area. The stately mansions and moss-draped oaks give the city a unique flavor found nowhere else in the world. 

  

Savannah’s Jewish Heritage:  On July 11, 1733, a community of 42 Jews disembarked from the William and Sarah to become a part of the new colony of Savannah.  Having left London, England, five months earlier, the brave band of mostly Portuguese Jews and two German Jewish families sought freedom and opportunity in the New World.  The first communal act upon landing in Savannah was the initiation of divine services. Worship was facilitated by the fact that more than a "Minyan" was immediately available, and a Torah Scroll was carried by the settlers to their new home in Georgia; soon after Congregation Mickve Israel was founded by these original settlers.  In 1790 the congregation was granted a Charter from the state of Georgia, confirming the legal status of the third oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. Savannah Jews have been prominent in all aspects of the commercial, cultural and political life of the community. Mickve Israel remains today an active spiritual Jewish community.  The Torah Scroll brought to Savannah in 1733, and other cherished possessions of the congregation, including letters from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and several other presidents, are on display in Mickve Israel's Archives/Museum. The Gothic synagogue, which stands on Monterey Square, was dedicated in 1878. Today Savannah boasts a strong Jewish community and proud of their heritage as one of the oldest in the America’s. 

 

Beaufort, South Carolina: 

Graced with giant oaks, fragrant gardens, stately mansions and outdoor cafes, Beaufort resembles a fairy tale. Beaufort is a gateway to a rich Low Country mix of culture and ecology where sea turtles’ nest, statues attest to bravery past and present, and Gullah is spoken. The Spanish exploration in 1514 was the first occurrence of Europeans to this area. Since then, it has known Spanish conquistadors, French Huguenots, English privateers, treacherous pirates and bloody wars. Today, many beautiful reminders of the past remain; with its graceful plantation and "town" homes, beautifully restored. 

  

Beaufort’s Jewish Heritage: Jews have resided in Beaufort since as far back as the 1760s. In the latter half of the 19th century, as the town’s population grew, Jews from the vicinity gathered to worship in various locations.  By 1905, members of the Jewish community decided that their numbers justified construction of a synagogue and on a synagogue was built and on June 14, 1908, was dedicated. Beth Israel Congregation has been worshipping together in the same white clapboard building on Scotts Street ever since.   

 

  

Itinerary 

 

Day 1 (Sunday): Charleston, SC 

 

Arrive Charleston, you will be met at the airport and then transferred to KK Beth Elohim where our tour will begin with orientation.  Our guide will introduce the group to Charleston, it’s the Jewish community and tour of the historic property. 

 

We continue our guided tour of Charleston by motor coach exploring its history, architecture, art, war, flowers, religion, getting out at strategic locations to see houses, gardens, parks and monuments and more. 

 

Day 2 (Monday): Charleston, SC 

 

The tour of Charleston continues with a visit to the Coming Street Cemetery, the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery in the South.  This is the resting place of some of the largest, wealthiest, Jewish communities in colonial America which our guide will discuss, as well as some of the more interesting individuals interred there. 

 

We continue by coach to the Nathaniel Russell house to experience a bit more of Charleston’s culture during the 18th Century.  We will be met by a docent of the Historic Charleston Foundation for a program on the South & Slavery as we learn about the house, gardens, the Russell family, and life during Slavery.   

 

Next, we visit the Jewish Studies Center at the College of Charleston as we walk across the beautiful campus to the Addlestone Library, where professors of Jewish Studies and Directors of the Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture will give a fascinating talk about the Jews who came to Charleston from Poland and the centers famous Jewish Heritage Collection.  Speakers will share some of the important documents held by the College and discuss the work being done in the library.   

 

Evening tour options 

 

• Explore the heart of Charleston at The City Market for shopping and free time.   

 

• “Sound of Charleston” concert, featuring music encompassing the history of Charleston:  From “Gospel to Gershwin.” 

 

Day 3 (Tuesday): Charleston, SC 

 

Today begins with a ride through the towns of Mt. Pleasant and Awendaw to Georgetown, SC to visit Hobcaw Barony, a 17,500-acre property that Bernard Baruch purchased between 1905 and 1907 as his family’s southern retreat and hunting lodge.  We will learn about the family ownership until the death of Belle Baruch in 1964 and how she ensured its usage today as a place of research in forestry, marine biology and much more.  The group will picnic (lunch provided) on the grounds of Hobcaw before traveling back to Georgetown to meet a member of Congregation Beth Elohim to learn about the impressive Jewish history of Georgetown.   

 

Optional Field Study Program for Students of all ages: "The Belle W. Baruch Foundation's purpose is to conserve the historic and natural resources of Hobcaw Barony to enable research and education.   Offered since the 1980’s, field studies at Hobcaw Barony are valuable educational learning tools. Each program incorporates hands-on interaction with features of the property, promoting a high-quality learning experience that fosters student participation and curiosity. The studies often ignite the environmentalists, conservationists, and historians of tomorrow.  Each field study was developed to encompass current South Carolina state standards for a particular grade level; program summaries include a list of pertinent standards. 

 

Sample biology study programs: 

 

• Research in a Changing Landscape: Scientific research has been occurring at Hobcaw Barony since the late 1960’s. Thanks to long-term data sets, researchers have been able to monitor and quantify changes in the property’s ecosystems. In this program, students will visit field locations where data is collected and interact with scientists on the property to examine how Hobcaw Barony is changing. 

 

• Survival of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers and Longleaf Pines: The survival of federally endangered Red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCW) is intertwined with that of the longleaf pine ecosystem. Students will learn about the history of both species within the Lowcountry and visit a longleaf forest inhabited by RCWs to consider what features impact each species’ capacity for growth and reproduction. 

 

• Fire’s Place in the Forest: Fire is often a misunderstood piece of the natural world. This lesson focuses on the benefits- and dangers- of fire in a longleaf pine ecosystem. Students will visit a forest plot on prescribed burn rotation to contemplate the importance of fire to native flora and fauna. 

 

• How Forests Have Shaped the Lowcountry: Students will contemplate how the usage of natural resources in the South Carolina Lowcountry has impacted culture over time. Included is a visit to a longleaf pine forest to learn some forestry principles and view trees inhabited by endangered Red-cockaded woodpeckers. 

 

Sample social study programs: 

 

• Minority Cultures in Hobcaw Barony: How did the lives of minorities living in Hobcaw Barony change over time? Students will first learn about the presence of Native Americans on the property and how colonization impacted them. Then the students will learn about the African American experience (from the rice era through the 20th century) by touring Friendfield Village- one of the few remaining slave villages in Georgetown County. 

 

• Impactful People at Hobcaw Barony: This program features two individuals that grew up in Hobcaw Barony in the early1900’s: Minnie Kennedy and Belle Baruch. Students will learn about their lives and visit places integral to their stories (Friendfield Village and Hobcaw House) to ultimately determine which person they think had the most impact on South Carolina and the United States. 

 

• Belle Baruch and Societal Change: An exceptionally tall and athletic woman, Belle Baruch was often in stark contrast to the societal norms of the early 1900’s. As Mary Miller wrote in Belle’s biography: “For proud, independent Belle, society’s expectations were burdensome and frustrating.”  After being introduced to social norms of the time, students will analyze primary and secondary sources to discover how Belle adapted to- and helped mold- societal change. 

 

Evening tour options 

 

• Explore the USS Yorktown Waterfront for shopping and free time. 

 

• Ghost Tour of USS Yorktown.  Experience an exciting tour aboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, where we will learn about the American heroes who lived, died and who are reportedly still around! 

 

Day 4 (Wednesday) Beaufort, SC / Savannah, GA 

 

Transfer to Savannah, GA, stopping in Beaufort, SC.  For area history tour including Beth Israel Synagogue and community visit (Historical Beth El Congregation was built in 1908; it is one of the few wooden synagogues in continued usage in the southeastern United States.).  

 

We continue to Savannah, GA; upon arrival in the afternoon, we board the Old Savannah Trolley for a guided tour by local trolly visiting the historic sites throughout the city of Savannah.  

 

Evening tour options 

 

• Explore Savannah River Street: The beating heart of Savannah; housed in one-time cotton warehouses, there are more than 75 boutiques, galleries, artists' studios, and restaurants located on Savannah’s River Street.  

 

• Savannah Ghost: The afterlife is alive and well in Savannah. Experience it for yourself on a Ghosts and Gravestones trolley ride through this grand old Southern city. Tour the streets, passing former battlegrounds, historic cemeteries, and old mansions infiltrated with the supernatural. Make a nighttime stop at legendary River Street, a hotspot for wandering spirits. Your guide will regale you with stories of Savannah's sinister deeds and nefarious characters along the way. 

 

Day 5 (Thursday) Savannah, GA 

 

We continue of our exploration of Savannah with a morning visit to the famous Mickve Israel Synagogue.   As the third oldest Jewish congregation in America and the first synagogue built in Georgia, Congregation Mickve Israel has a rich and unique history. Your guided tour of the synagogue will begin in the magnificent sanctuary where your guide will take you on your journey into Mickve Israel’s unique past. In the award-winning Lawrence & Nancy Gutstein Museum, you will find artifacts, documents, and other historical items that tell Congregation Mickve Israel’s fascinating story. There are items going back to the founding of Savannah and Congregation Mickve Israel in 1733, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the founding of the Girl Scouts of America as well as congratulatory letters from many presidents (including George Washington) and a 15th Century Torah, the oldest Torah in North America. 

 

Next, we explore The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum.  Here we are guided through the vibrant tapestry of African American culture Savannah has preserved, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum emerges as a cornerstone of historical significance. Dedicated to the memory of a leader who was instrumental in advocating for civil rights, this museum provides the opportunity to engage with the pivotal events of the Savannah Civil Rights Movement.  Within its walls, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum vividly encapsulates the relentless pursuit of justice and equality. Each exhibit is a portal to the past, designed to both educate and invoke the emotional legacy left by generations who fought against the adversity of segregation and systemic oppression. 

 

We continue on to our Atlantic Ocean Low Country tour where we will explore outlying areas that showcase river inlets, marshes and tidal creeks as we travel to Savannah’s Beach at Tybee Island. Explore Revolutionary War history at Fort Pulaski National Monument & Park, followed by a brief overview of the Island’s unique Coastal living style. Enjoy a drive-by view of Georgia’s oldest and tallest Lighthouse - guiding mariners from the Atlantic into the Savannah River for more than 270 years (tour of Light not included); and then stop & unload for a Lighthouse photo op and a beach walk and swim.  

 

Evening tour options 

 

• Explore Savannah River Street: The beating heart of Savannah; housed in one-time cotton warehouses, there are more than 75 boutiques, galleries, artists' studios, and restaurants located on Savannah’s River Street.  

 

• Savannah Ghost: The afterlife is alive and well in Savannah. Experience it for yourself on a Ghosts and Gravestones trolley ride through this grand old Southern city. Tour the streets, passing former battlegrounds, historic cemeteries, and old mansions infiltrated with the supernatural. Make a nighttime stop at legendary River Street, a hotspot for wandering spirits. Your guide will regale you with stories of Savannah's sinister deeds and nefarious characters along the way. 

 

Day 6 (Friday) Savannah, GA – Depart from Savannah or Charleston airport