Why Explore the Jewish South with Southern Jewish Journeys?

Southern Jewish Journeys is the only boutique, full-service operator offering fully curated Jewish heritage experiences in the American South. Every journey is tailored to your group, ensuring an immersive, meaningful, and memorable exploration of Southern Jewish history and culture.

Discover a New Story, 300 Years in the Making

Many American Jewish narratives begin with Ashkenazi immigration in the 1800s, but the South offers a story that starts much earlier, with Sephardic immigrants in the 1600s. Jewish history here stretches back over 300 years, beginning with Sephardic settlers from London, Amsterdam, and the Caribbean who arrived in Charleston and Savannah in the 1690s. In fact, Charleston had the highest Jewish population in the country up until the 1820s! Their traditions and culture shaped early Southern Jewish life, later enriched by waves of Ashkenazi immigrants. This often-overlooked history provides a new perspective on Jewish life in America.

A Slice of Europe and the Caribbean, Closer to Home

Pastel-painted homes, wrought-iron balconies, and cobblestone streets in Charleston and Savannah reflect the architectural styles of European and Caribbean port cities, the regions from which many early Jewish settlers arrived. These cities preserve centuries of Jewish life, from the colonial and Revolutionary eras through the growth of modern Southern communities. Along the way, we’ll visit centuries-old synagogues, merchant shops, civic centers, and homes, and trace how Jewish life in the South became deeply interwoven with major regional events — including the painful realities of slavery and the Civil War, as well as the challenges of segregation — offering a fuller, more complex understanding of the past.

A Diverse Tapestry, from Urban Centers to Rural Coastal Communities

Jewish history in the South not only lives in its large cities, but also in its smaller coastal towns. Visits to places like Georgetown and Beaufort reveal what once-vibrant Jewish communities looked like, from modest synagogues to historic cemeteries, offering a glimpse into rural, small-town Jewish life.

Experience Southern Culture Beyond Jewish History

Journeys also highlight the broader culture of the region. Guests can take a boat to Fort Sumter, enjoy a Gullah heritage tour with music and storytelling, or join a culinary tour featuring the dishes that make the South famous. Along the way, the South’s beauty is impossible to miss — from majestic live oaks to dolphins playing in the harbor.

A More Accessible, Convenient, and Secure Choice

A Jewish heritage experience in the South offers depth and authenticity without the long flights or high costs of traveling overseas. Just a few hours from many major North American cities, these journeys are a more affordable way to explore history. Travelers can experience Jewish life and Southern culture safely and comfortably, without the complexities of international logistics or security concerns.

Ready to explore the Jewish South? Share your dates, and we’ll take care of the rest.