To many Jews from the Northeast, Florida and the Midwest, Savannah, Georgia is a city associated with the former Confederate States of America \u2014 and a place to spend the night just off of I-95 en route to and from Florida.

Yet, Savannah has more than 271 years of Jewish history that makes it one of the oldest Jewish communities in the United States. In July, 1733, just five months after General James Edward Oglethorpe founded the 13th colony of Georgia, a group of 42 Jews arrived in Savannah from England aboard the tiny ship, the William and Sarah.

They were primarily Sephardic Jews who had fled to London to escape inquisitions in Spain and Portugal. In London, members of the Bevis Marks Synagogue underwrote their trip to the new world. They were joined by members of the Minis and Sheftall families \u2014 two Ashkenazi families from Germany. The first male child born in Georgia was Jewish.

“There are so many sights in and around Savannah that tie the history of the Jewish community here into the overall history of the City of Savannah, the State of Georgia and the United States,” explained Moises Paz, executive director of the Savannah Jewish Federation.

“Much \u2014 but certainly not all \u2014 of this history revolves around Congregation Mickve Israel started by these first Jewish settlers almost immediately after landing in Savannah. It is the third oldest congregation in continuous operation in the U.S.A. Currently, the congregation worships in a building constructed in 1878 and which today is the only Gothic style synagogue in the United States,” he explained. “And, they have a Torah brought with them from London that is more than 300 years old. This Torah is on display and is the centerpiece of a museum at the Temple which is open to the public.”

However, there are many other signs of the early Jewish presence in Savannah. A marker on the riverfront marks the spot where these first Jewish settlers landed in July, 1733. Less than a half a mile from the riverfront on a spot that in colonial days was the outskirts of the city is a marker designating the first Jewish burial ground in Georgia.

“But, while a study of history and monuments is certainly interesting, it is more important to note that the Jewish community in Savannah today is very vibrant and visible,” Mr. Paz continued.

The total population of Chatham county, of which Savannah comprises the major part, is about 260,000. There are approximately 1,700 Jewish families, or about 3,800 Jewish people in the county, according to Mr. Paz.

The Jewish community represents about one and a half percent of the total population in the Greater Savannah area … yet it is very visible.

“We currently have two Jews on the Savannah City Council. We have had Jewish mayors in the past … the first one about 100 years ago. Virtually every volunteer community activity has a very visible Jewish presence,” Mr. Paz pointed out.

There are three active congregations in Savannah. Congregation Mickve Israel, founded in 1733, is a Reform congregation; Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob, the Orthodox congregation, was founded in the 1860s; and Congregation Agudath Achim, the Conservative synagogue, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

“In addition, the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA), our Jewish Community Center, offers a wide range of Jewish cultural programs. For example, for the past four years we have had a shaliach on site, an Israeli educator who develops programs of interest about Israel for our local Jewish residents. We also have many activities for senior citizens and a Jewish Family Services program. Our fitness center is amongst the best in town.

“The JEA also houses the Rambam Day School, a Jewish parochial school that goes through the eighth grade, and there are two afternoon and Sunday Hebrew School programs, through Shalom School (a joint initiative of the Conservative and Reform congregations) and Hebrew Community School (associated with the Orthodox congregation) in Savannah.

Savannah, with its 271 years of Jewish history and the opportunity for all-year-round outdoor activity, is definitely a place for Jewish tourists to consider visiting in the near future. Anyone interested in visiting Savannah and/or learning about its Jewish history should contact Moises Paz at (912) 355-8111 or e-mail at Moises@savj.org or by going to www.savj.org.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 14th, 2005 and is filed under history.