Jews of Louisiana

This is an umbrella project for all projects related to Jews from Louisiana.

Notes

From Pushcarts and Plantations: Jewish Life in Louisiana

In the early 1700s, Sephardic traders journeyed up from the Caribbean and became the first Jews to settle in Louisiana. The small community thrived despite of the infamous "Black Code" of 1724 that officially expelled all Jews from the French colony.

A second wave of immigration (1820-1870) deposited German peddlers in virtually every small town in the state. Jacob Bodenheimer, one of the first Jews to settle in northern Louisiana, came to America as a castaway. He encouraged other German Jews to follow and soon there was a substantial Jewish presence in the area. Because they were among the first of any faith to settle this region, northern Louisiana has experienced little anti-Semitism.

The arrival of Eastern Europeans marked the third great wave of immigration (1870-1920). During this period’s high water mark--the first decade of the 20th century--Louisiana found itself with a substantial Russian and Polish community. The traditionalism of these newcomers contrasted sharply with the assimilated French and Germans. They often were a source of embarrassment to those Jews who had worked so hard to blend into the styles and customs of the gentile world. They maintained their traditions, however, and established thriving orthodox communities throughout the state.

Notables

Resources

1. History of the Jews of Louisiana Published 1903 in New Orleans . Written in English.
2. Gefilte Fish in the Land of the Kingfish: Jewish Life in Louisiana
3. Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities - Louisiana
4. The Alsace-Lorraine Jewish Experience in Louisiana and the Gulf South" by Anny Bloch-Raymond
5. The True Story of Eunice (Louisiana) Excerpt about the Wright family.
6. New Orleans Cemeteries
7. Louisiana Archives search
8. The Early Jews of New Orleans
9. Genealogy Resources Specifically Related to the New Orleans Jewish Community compiled by Ellen Barnett Cleary, JGSNO, April 2001
10. "The Jews of New Orleans" the algemeiner