Make a gift to historic Temple B'nai Israel |
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The story of Jewish life in Natchez, Mississippi, is a tale of matzoh balls and magnolias, the Civil War and synagogues, King Cotton and merchant life Under-The-Hill. It began over 200 years ago when the first Jewish immigrants were drawn by economic opportunity to the Mississippi frontier. The beautiful historic synagogue in downtown Natchez has been a site beloved by all community members for more than a century.
But without your help, this building and the legacy of the Jewish community of Natchez are in jeopardy.
Once home to a thriving Jewish population, there are now few Jewish residents left in this river city. Despite their declining numbers, the Jewish citizens of Natchez have always been and remain committed to being a positive force in their town. Jewish merchants played an important role in the economic prominence of the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While Jews never exceeded 5% of the population, they became elected officials, developed the Clifton Heights neighborhood, founded the Natchez Garden Club, and financially supported a variety of social and civic organizations. The importance of their roles in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of postbellum Natchez belies the small size of their community.
Natchez is supported by a vibrant tourist economy, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Few cities offer an in-depth look at the past and present southern lifestyle like Natchez, where visitors can visit antebellum homes, historical landmarks, and modern museums. But the City of Natchez no longer has a historic venue for conferences and meetings. Temple B’nai Israel’s size and location make it an ideal facility for groups who want a special historic setting for their meeting.
The Temple B'nai Israel Legacy Campaign is intended to support the long-term care and use of the building. The building will function as a cultural and meeting facility, accessible to all, with an elevator, 350-seat sanctuary, museum exhibits, and special programming to preserve and interpret the important legacy of the Natchez Jewish community.
Although Temple B’nai Israel has always been valued and cared for, as the number of congregants has dwindled, it has fallen on fewer and fewer shoulders to address the naturally-occurring needs of an aging structure. We need your help and financial support.
We must raise a minimum of $3,000,000 in order to preserve this building, keep it as a monument to the legacy of Jewish life in Natchez, and maintain it as a perpetual gathering place for people of all faiths. Exhibitions in the building will be inclusive of many voices, highlighting the value of cultural and ethnic diversity in Natchez. Future plans for Temple B’nai Israel will both honor and preserve the history of the building while finding strategic new uses for the architecturally significant space.
This campaign is coordinated by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), which will help ensure the preservation of the building and Natchez’s Jewish legacy in perpetuity. The ISJL will not only take care of the building and make it even more accessible to all, but will also bring enriching Jewish cultural programs to town, ensuring that the entire Natchez community can continue to celebrate a shared southern history and legacy of fellowship. Click through our campaign brochure to learn more about our plans and naming opportunities at Temple B'nai Israel.
You can make gifts online or send checks (made payable to ISJL c/o Temple B'nai Israel) by mail to P.O. Box 16528, Jackson, MS 39236.
But without your help, this building and the legacy of the Jewish community of Natchez are in jeopardy.
Once home to a thriving Jewish population, there are now few Jewish residents left in this river city. Despite their declining numbers, the Jewish citizens of Natchez have always been and remain committed to being a positive force in their town. Jewish merchants played an important role in the economic prominence of the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While Jews never exceeded 5% of the population, they became elected officials, developed the Clifton Heights neighborhood, founded the Natchez Garden Club, and financially supported a variety of social and civic organizations. The importance of their roles in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of postbellum Natchez belies the small size of their community.
Natchez is supported by a vibrant tourist economy, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Few cities offer an in-depth look at the past and present southern lifestyle like Natchez, where visitors can visit antebellum homes, historical landmarks, and modern museums. But the City of Natchez no longer has a historic venue for conferences and meetings. Temple B’nai Israel’s size and location make it an ideal facility for groups who want a special historic setting for their meeting.
The Temple B'nai Israel Legacy Campaign is intended to support the long-term care and use of the building. The building will function as a cultural and meeting facility, accessible to all, with an elevator, 350-seat sanctuary, museum exhibits, and special programming to preserve and interpret the important legacy of the Natchez Jewish community.
Although Temple B’nai Israel has always been valued and cared for, as the number of congregants has dwindled, it has fallen on fewer and fewer shoulders to address the naturally-occurring needs of an aging structure. We need your help and financial support.
We must raise a minimum of $3,000,000 in order to preserve this building, keep it as a monument to the legacy of Jewish life in Natchez, and maintain it as a perpetual gathering place for people of all faiths. Exhibitions in the building will be inclusive of many voices, highlighting the value of cultural and ethnic diversity in Natchez. Future plans for Temple B’nai Israel will both honor and preserve the history of the building while finding strategic new uses for the architecturally significant space.
This campaign is coordinated by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), which will help ensure the preservation of the building and Natchez’s Jewish legacy in perpetuity. The ISJL will not only take care of the building and make it even more accessible to all, but will also bring enriching Jewish cultural programs to town, ensuring that the entire Natchez community can continue to celebrate a shared southern history and legacy of fellowship. Click through our campaign brochure to learn more about our plans and naming opportunities at Temple B'nai Israel.
You can make gifts online or send checks (made payable to ISJL c/o Temple B'nai Israel) by mail to P.O. Box 16528, Jackson, MS 39236.
Submit your online donation now |
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