In 2016, the Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture is developing a new online exhibition titled “Synagogues of the South”, curated by Dr. Samuel D. Gruber, based on material from the William A. Rosenthall Collection at the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library at the College of Charleston. The exhibit will explore the mostly lost history of synagogues in the American South through introductory and analytic essays and extended historical and architectural captions for approximately 100 postcard images from the Rosenthall Collection.

We plan to illustrate synagogues across a broadly-defined “South,” stretching from Maryland south to Florida and west to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Most of these images date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and represent former synagogues: buildings now either transformed for new purposes, or demolished. A smaller number represent post–World War II synagogues in various modern styles. At the same time, we’ll begin compiling information about Jewish architects and construction firms.

If you have old photos or other materials related to southern synagogues of any period, please let us know at samuelgruber@gmail.com!