|
Along the
Mississippi River Valley, in towns and cities including Vicksburg, Jewish
communities thrived in the second half of the 19th and early part of
the 20th centuries. Today, there exists a Jewish cultural corridor
along the Mississippi River, a self-guided driving tour stretching
from Memphis to New Orleans, linking Hebrew historic sites. The
Cherry Street Cottages are at the heart of this important historic
zone.
Many Jews left Alsace, the
much disputed territory on the France-Germany border, in the early
and mid-19th century to settle in the mid-South. Others were lured
by the promised opportunity of the burgeoning economies based on
cotton and sugar.
Born of a successful
emigrant merchant family, David Shlenker was educated in Vicksburg
and New Orleans and became a successful cotton factor and leader in
the City of Vicksburg.
His home, built in 1907,
reflects his success, influence and education. At the time of
his death in 1913, his firm was considered one of the staunchest and
most successful in the South.
Even with this success,
which included a term as alderman for the City of Vicksburg, David
Shlenker never lost ties to the less fortunate. His greatest
legacies may have been his utmost integrity and honesty, his charity
and philanthropy, and the love of his employees and business
associates.
The Shlenker house is a
testimonial to this important Southern businessman and Jewish
leader. Vicksburg is also home to many other important
Jewish historic sites. Evidence of Vicksburg's once robust Jewish
community is adjacent to Vicksburg National Military Park: historic
Anshe Chesed Cemetery. At 721 Clay Street downtown is the
former B'nai B'rith Club.
Other important regional
sites are also nearby as Vicksburg lies in the heart of the Jewish
cultural corridor. In nearby Jackson is the Goldring/Woldenberg
Institute of Southern Jewish Life.aaa
|
