Mesmerizing Mississippi

The city of Biloxi was the third largest city in Mississippi behind Jackson and Gulfport. After Hurricane Katrina, the population of the city decreased and it then became the fifth largest city in the state. The beachfront of Biloxi lies on the Mississippi Sound as part of the Gulf Coast, an interesting stop for a kosher tour.

Well worth a visit is the Biloxi Lighthouse which was erected in 1848. It was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South and is the signature landmark of the city. This lighthouse is famous for having several female lighthouse keepers including Maria Younghans who tended it for 53 years. It is now open for public tours after a 14 month refit.

Biloxi is a proud host to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, which in turn is the home of the self-proclaimed “Mad Potter of Biloxi”, George E. Ohr. Born in July 12 of 1867, Ohr was an American ceramic artist whose innovative experiments with modern clay forms has earned him wide renown, with some even considering him as a forerunner of the American Abstract-Expressionism movement.

The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art is a work of art in itself, designed by Canadian-born American architect Frank Gehry. In 2008, it was selected by TIME as one of the top five architectural designs in the world for the “Style & Design 100” issue.

Another interesting museum to visit is the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, which is located inside the historic train depot of Bay St. Louis. It contains original folk art paintings, pottery, art glass and antique furniture. The actual inside of the museum is a replica of the interior of Alice’s former house.

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs celebrates the works of Walter Inglis Anderson, whose depictions of the flora, fauna, and residents of the Gulf Coast have earned him a place in the forefront of America's 20th century painters. It is also the home of his brother, Peter Anderson’s, pottery collection. Peter was a master potter and the founder of Shearwater Pottery which continues to be family-owned to this day. The museum also features the work of noted painter, James McConnell Anderson, who also created ceramics.

Jews have always been a small minority of Mississippi's population. Though small, Jewish communities are still very much part of the state and continue to preserve and observe religious tradition. They arrived in what is now Mississippi back in the mid-1700s, while the area was still very much under Spanish control. It should be noted, however, that the first significant Jewish community in the area was not established until 1800 in Natchez, where the first Jewish religious service was also reportedly held. In 1840, the Jews of Natchez purchased land for a cemetery, and went on to formally organize the one of the state's oldest congregations, the Children of Israel.

The earliest sign of a permanent Jewish settlement along the Mississippi Gold Coast was the cemetery in 1853. It was located on Reynoir Street and not having been used for many years, it was bought by the Jews in New Orleans. During World War II, the Keesler Air Force Base brought new life to the Jewish population of Biloxi. The new Jews who arrived needed a place to worship and they founded the Congregation Beth Israel.

To learn more about Mississippi's unique landmarks and Jewish heritage, we welcome you to join us on our Mississippi kosher cruise.