Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities - Aberdeen, Mississippi
Overview >> Mississippi >> Aberdeen
Historical Overview
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The Jewish community of Aberdeen was always small—a 1937 study found that only 13 Jews lived in Aberdeen—but the Jews of this Northeast Mississippi town were quite influential and civically involved. The Jewish community in Aberdeen existed into the 20th century. They never formed a congregation or other Jewish organization, but they did establish several flourishing businesses.
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Stories of the Jewish Community in Aberdeen
The Gattman Brothers—Early Merchants
Morris Gattman and his brother Jake were successful in the mercantile business in the 19th century, but after the Civil War, each brother went into business alone—running two competitive stores. Realizing the inefficiency of competing with each other, they came together for business again, opening a very successful bank. They were so successful and well known, it is rumored that the town of Gattman, Mississippi, was named after them.
Major Sydney A. Jonas—Civil War Soldier
Major Sydney A. Jonas was a respected soldier in the Civil War, the editor of the Aberdeen Examiner, and served in the Department of Agriculture. He was also known as a poet; his popular poem “The Confederate Note” expressed the sentiments of the defeated confederacy. The Daughters of the Confederacy erected a memorial on the Aberdeen Parkway to commemorate him.
The Rubel Family—World War II
The Rubel family was a long-established part of the Jewish community in Aberdeen. New members of their extended family joined the community after escaping from Hitler's rule in Germany in 1939, bringing awareness to the town about the reality of the situation in Europe. Despite having limited English skills, the children of these new Rubels, Ruth and Werner, quickly rose to the top of their classes at Aberdeen public schools.
The Lasky Family—Faith, Service, and Activism
Thanks to the good memory of Mary Golde Howell (Lasky), we know a lot about the Jewish community in Aberdeen, and the Lasky family in particular. The Lasky family was the primary vendor of women and children's clothing in Aberdeen.
Dorothy Lasky moved to Aberdeen after her marriage to Bernard Lasky, and became a prominent citizen. She was encouraged to run for mayor many times, an offer she always declined, and candidates vigorously sought her support throughout her life. She devoted much of her life to charitable work. Her daughter Mary remembers her commitment to bringing children referred by the Welfare Department to the Lasky home during the Christmas season. The children were given baths and gifts from the family store.
Bernard Lasky was a conscientious business and community leader. During the Civil Rights era, white Aberdeen residents boycotted the Lasky store because Bernard was thought to be “soft” on segregation. Both Bernard and Dorothy participated in a group that worked with the FBI to dismantle a Ku Klux Klan terrorist cell targeting the Mississippi Jewish community. Bernard and Dorothy donated funds to pay informers.
The Laskys worked hard to preserve their Jewish faith, though they lived in a predominantly Christian area. They traveled to Columbus, Mississippi, for Shabbat services, and their four children attended Sunday School there as well. Bernard served as Temple president several times. The Laskys practiced in the Reform tradition. They did not keep kosher, but never had pork in their home. Their religious identity was strong, but they also maintained bonds with the non-Jewish members of their community.
Morris Gattman and his brother Jake were successful in the mercantile business in the 19th century, but after the Civil War, each brother went into business alone—running two competitive stores. Realizing the inefficiency of competing with each other, they came together for business again, opening a very successful bank. They were so successful and well known, it is rumored that the town of Gattman, Mississippi, was named after them.
Major Sydney A. Jonas—Civil War Soldier
Major Sydney A. Jonas was a respected soldier in the Civil War, the editor of the Aberdeen Examiner, and served in the Department of Agriculture. He was also known as a poet; his popular poem “The Confederate Note” expressed the sentiments of the defeated confederacy. The Daughters of the Confederacy erected a memorial on the Aberdeen Parkway to commemorate him.
The Rubel Family—World War II
The Rubel family was a long-established part of the Jewish community in Aberdeen. New members of their extended family joined the community after escaping from Hitler's rule in Germany in 1939, bringing awareness to the town about the reality of the situation in Europe. Despite having limited English skills, the children of these new Rubels, Ruth and Werner, quickly rose to the top of their classes at Aberdeen public schools.
The Lasky Family—Faith, Service, and Activism
Thanks to the good memory of Mary Golde Howell (Lasky), we know a lot about the Jewish community in Aberdeen, and the Lasky family in particular. The Lasky family was the primary vendor of women and children's clothing in Aberdeen.
Dorothy Lasky moved to Aberdeen after her marriage to Bernard Lasky, and became a prominent citizen. She was encouraged to run for mayor many times, an offer she always declined, and candidates vigorously sought her support throughout her life. She devoted much of her life to charitable work. Her daughter Mary remembers her commitment to bringing children referred by the Welfare Department to the Lasky home during the Christmas season. The children were given baths and gifts from the family store.
Bernard Lasky was a conscientious business and community leader. During the Civil Rights era, white Aberdeen residents boycotted the Lasky store because Bernard was thought to be “soft” on segregation. Both Bernard and Dorothy participated in a group that worked with the FBI to dismantle a Ku Klux Klan terrorist cell targeting the Mississippi Jewish community. Bernard and Dorothy donated funds to pay informers.
The Laskys worked hard to preserve their Jewish faith, though they lived in a predominantly Christian area. They traveled to Columbus, Mississippi, for Shabbat services, and their four children attended Sunday School there as well. Bernard served as Temple president several times. The Laskys practiced in the Reform tradition. They did not keep kosher, but never had pork in their home. Their religious identity was strong, but they also maintained bonds with the non-Jewish members of their community.
Other Notable Citizens
Over the years, Jews living in Aberdeen included the Haas, Weiler, Kraus, Stern, and Bergman families.
The Jewish Community in Aberdeen Today
Today there are no Jews in Aberdeen. Families moved or passed away, but the history of Aberdeen is consistently punctuated by the contributions of the Jews who lived there.