Southern Jewish Heritage Tours

Hit the road with the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) in 2024!

The ISJL Culture team is excited to bring you to Mississippi in February 2024, with two opportunities to travel through our home state with us. You’ll be on the road with our staff, experiencing off-the-beaten-path destinations, big conversations about southern Jewish culture and history, and the best art, music, and food Mississippi has to offer.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway with a focus on good meals and music, join us for Jews, Blues, and Food in Jackson, Memphis, and the Mississippi Delta from January 31 to February 5, 2024. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, a longer trip, and want a chance to stay in luxury accommodations, join us for Jewish Life in the Most Southern Place on Earth: Jackson, Natchez, Vicksburg, and the Mississippi Delta from February 18 to 25, 2024.

What can you expect on your southern Jewish journey? Delicious meals, world-class museums, and visits to vibrant southern Jewish communities. Throughout the trip, we’ll offer expert leadership, lead thought-provoking discussions, and welcome you into our own Mississippi Jewish lives. Take a closer look at our itineraries, and register below to save your spot!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people will be on the tour? To provide an experience that’s both intimate and social, we’re capping each tour at 40 participants. We will run each tour with a minimum of 20 participants. Register now to save your spot!
What ages are welcome on the tour? This is a trip for adults; we welcome participants ages 21 and above.
What's included in the tour price? Prices include meals as outlined in the itinerary; motorcoach transportation during the tour; and all museum admissions, speaker honoraria, and generous donations to the congregations and organizations we’ll visit during the trip. Price is not inclusive of airfare.
Who is leading the tour? Your tour leaders are the ISJL’s Culture team: Dr. Josh Parshall, Director of History; Nora Katz, Director of Heritage and Interpretation; and Shira Muroff, Director of Programs. We’re seasoned tour leaders and long-time Jewish Mississippi residents with a passion for southern Jewish history, tour logistics, snacks, and road trip playlists.
What airport should I fly into? For both trips, we recommend flying into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Jackson, Mississippi. For Jews, Blues, and Food, you should fly into Jackson, but you can fly out of Memphis if you'd like to extend your time there.
How will Shabbat be observed on these tours? We will be celebrating Shabbat together with Friday night services, although we will not be keeping strict Shabbat observance. During the entirety of Shabbat, participants will not need to exchange money themselves.
Will you be able to accommodate specific allergies and dietary needs? When you register, we will ask you to tell us about your allergies and dietary needs, which we will do our best to accommodate. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us before paying your deposit.
Will kosher food be available on these tours? We are able to offer kosher-style or vegetarian food on the trip, but keeping strictly kosher is not possible. Please get in touch with us if you have questions about your specific kashrut observance.
What’s the weather like in Mississippi in February? It can be below freezing or 80 degrees! As the trip gets closer, we’ll send you information about what the weather might be like during your trip. We always recommend that you bring a rain jacket and good walking shoes.
What’s your cancellation policy? When you register for the tour, you will pay a nonrefundable $500 deposit to reserve your spot. The balance of the tour fee is due by November 1, 2023. Should you need to cancel for any reason, email us at heritage@isjl.org—all cancellations must be received by the ISJL in writing. For cancellations made on or before November 1, refunds will be issued less the tour deposit. For cancellations made on or after November 2, no refunds will be issued.
Will you be able to accommodate specific accessibility requirements and mobility needs? When you register, we’ll ask you to tell us about any specific accessibility accommodations you might need. In terms of mobility, the tour will include a significant amount of walking and standing; most activities are wheelchair accessible, but the bus is not wheelchair accessible. Feel free to email us about any specific questions you might have.
Do you offer travel insurance? The ISJL encourages all participants to consider purchasing travel insurance; the ISJL does not provide insurance or recommendations for travel insurance policies.
What is your COVID-19 policy? The ISJL will require all participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and have at least one booster shot. We will require proof of vaccination in order to participate in the tours. COVID-19 safety measures will be in place based on public health conditions at the time of the tours. We recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy that covers cancellations and expenses due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Where is blues legend Robert Johnson really buried? You’ll have to travel with us to find out!

Our Itineraries

2024 ISJL Tour Outlines
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