Read More About It: Jewish Life in the South

Director of Education Troy Scheid recommends the following books about the Jewish experience in the South.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry
The play’s biggest fans should pick up a copy of the published script!

Driving Miss Daisy (Special Edition)
Based on what is perhaps Alfred Uhry’s best-known play, the 1990 film version of Driving Miss Daisy starred Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy and is considered a modern classic. The story of the evolution of a friendship between an independent white Southern woman and her African-American chauffeur won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress for Tandy. (Freeman was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar and Dan Aykroyd for Best Supporting Actor.)

Jewish Roots in Southern Soil: A New History (Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture and Life) edited by Marcie Ferris
Produced as part of the Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Jewish Roots provides a closer look at many facets of the history of Jews in the American South, starting with the first Jewish settlers in 1730. Comprised of thirteen essays, the book explores such diverse topics as American Jewish women writers, relations between the African-American and Jewish communities, and Jewish Confederates.

Shalom Y'All: Images of Jewish Life in the American South by Vicki Reikes Fox (author) and Bill Aron (photographer)
With a focus on Mississippi and Louisiana, though touching on many Southern states, this book explores the religion and daily life of Southern Jews in black-and-white photographs. Featuring a foreword by Alfred Uhry.

Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South by Marcie Cohen Ferris
According to the author, “The most tangible way to understand Jewish history and culture in the South is at the dinner table.” Ferris (a native Arkansan and cultural historian), interleafs family stories with kosher recipes at the intersection of Souther and Jewish foodways, from “Pesach Fried Green Tomatoes” to “Br’er Rabbit Molasses Cookies” and “Dirty Matzoh Dressing.”

Caroline, Or Change (2004 Original Broadway Cast) Book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori
This recent musical (produced by Main Street Theater in 2008) by another Southern Jewish author of renown, Tony Kushner, dramatizes the author’s memories of his relationship with the family’s housekeeper in 1960s Louisiana. The original Broadway cast recording features Tonya Pinkins as Caroline.

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket, the author of the acclaimed “Series of Unfortunate Events” books, has written this insightful holiday story for audiences of all ages and faiths—as long as they have a wicked sense of humor. Why won’t the latke stop screaming? It comes into the world surrounded by twinkling lights, candy canes, and a pine tree. None of these Christmas accessories understand the latke’s attempts to explain the history and meaning of Hanukkah. If you know the story of the Gingerbread Man, you can guess the latke’s fate—but before he meets it, he is able to impress on his audience his life’s purpose: that Hanukkah is not the “Jewish Christmas” but a separate and unique holiday.

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, still playing at our Rice Village location, has been extended (AGAIN!) through December 27th! Don't miss out on the family holiday hit. The show about a Jewish family in the South at Christmastime must close on the 27th!

And that's the word on the street!