(Jewish Group) NOLA 300: Jewish community prospers and gives back

[Behind the Aegis]

(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!)

As the Jewish community in New Orleans observes Passover, they are continuing a tradition in the city that's almost as old as New Orleans itself.

"The first Jews to arrive came in 1757," says Julie Schwartz, co-chair of the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. "The first immigrants that came over did not really find a Jewish community. But, they found opportunity."

Schwartz says the story of Jews in New Orleans really starts in 1801 when Judah Touro arrived. Touro was a successful businessman and donated much of his wealth back the city. He bought a building downtown and turned it into what would become Touro Infirmary.

"He started that out as a hospital for sailors and the very poor, even enslaved people, right by the river," says Schwartz. "It moved uptown to what was then a cow pasture."

Touro wasn't the only Jewish businessman in New Orleans to find success. Many of the early, popular department stores along Canal Street were Jewish-owned and -operated, including Godchaux's, Maison Blanche, and Krauss. Gustave Katz and Sydney Besthoff started a drugstore on Canal Street that would become K&B. And, Rubensteins opened in 1924 on the corner of Canal and St. Charles Avenue and is still in business today.

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