Author: Rebecca Hyman
Let's honor Jewish American Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions of Jewish Americans to our history and culture in North Carolina. With Governor Josh Stein's proclamation, we honor the vibrant traditions and achievements of Jewish Americans in our state, encouraging appreciation for their impact not just this month but all year round.
Explore educational resources and programs about Jewish Americans in North Carolina from DNCR, including the selection below:
Judaic Art Gallery at the NCMA
The North Carolina Museum of Art is home to the Judaic Art Gallery, one of only two permanent galleries in the United States dedicated to Jewish ceremonial art. Established in 1983, this collection features beautifully crafted objects spanning three centuries, celebrating Jewish spiritual life and traditions. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring Judaic art. Visit the Judaic Art Gallery at the North Carolina Museum of Art or check out the collection online.
Lighting the Way
In the 1960s, a beautiful crystal chandelier was gifted to the North Carolina Executive Mansion. This remarkable piece was donated by Mrs. Karoline Horowitz, who, with her husband Peter and their six-year-old son Bob, moved to Murphy, NC, in the 1940s. As Holocaust survivors, they escaped Nazi Europe through a remarkable journey, reclaiming the chandelier that originally belonged to her parents after World War II. In appreciation of the support her family received as refugees, Mrs. Horowitz offered it to the state.
The chandelier continues to grace the state dining room of the Executive Mansion. Recently, state historians uncovered new correspondence from Mrs. Horowitz and additional details that provide deeper insight into the chandelier's story.
Watch Lighting the Way: The Remarkable Story Behind a North Carolina Treasure to learn more about this inspiring history. You can also read more about the chandelier in the November 2024 issue of Our State Magazine.
Jewish Life in Western NC
Discover more about Jewish life in Western North Carolina through this 2023 virtual program presented by the North Carolina Museum of History, part of its History and Highballs series. In Missing History: Jewish Life in Western NC, historian Sharon Faher discusses the history of the Jewish community in Western North Carolina.
Exploring Jewish American Heritage at the Library
The State Library’s Government and Heritage Library is an excellent resource for learning about the contributions of Jewish Americans in North Carolina and the South. You can discover more about significant Jewish American historical figures and events that have shaped the state, such as activist Gertrude Weil and the Temple of Israel, the oldest Jewish house of worship in the state. Additionally, you can revisit virtual programs from 2022, including Powered by Humor: Harry Golden’s Civil Rights Blogging and Tracing Your Jewish Roots in Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. Make sure to search the online library catalog for books on the Jewish American experience, such as Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina by Leonard Rogoff and Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew by Michael W. Twitty.