Officials with the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans announced on Wednesday that the new attraction will open to the public on May 27.
Originally slated to roll out its exhibits in February 2020, it was delayed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Exhibits will explore the many ways Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their communities. The museum covers 13 states and more than 300 years of history, including colonial times, the Civil War, World War II and the civil-rights movement.
“We are excited to announce an opening date after a pause as a result of the pandemic,” said museum chair Jay Tanenbaum. “Jews in the South formed bonds of deep friendship and community-building with their non-Jewish neighbors. These stories show how people of different backgrounds come together to create the American experience. This can be a bridge to a better understanding and future for all of us.”
Multimedia exhibits illustrate how Jewish immigrants and succeeding generations adapted to life in the American South. The museum also addresses issues of race and anti-Semitism, as well as ways that Southern Jews navigated them.
The museum also continues to seek artifacts for its exhibits.
For more information about the artifact donation process, visit: www.msje.org/our-collection.
