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  1. Historic Columbia
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  3. Columbia Jewish Heritage Initiative

Columbia Jewish Heritage Initiative

Description

From 2014-2017, Historic Columbia partnered with the College of Charleston’s Jewish Heritage Collection, the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina, the Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, the Columbia Jewish Federation, and Richland Library to document, celebrate, and increase awareness of local Jewish history, heritage, and culture. Working with a local steering committee, Historic Columbia staff documented the memories of approximately 50 former and current Jewish residents, scanned hundreds of photographs, and created a 34-site walking tour that is now available online in an expanded format.

In December 2016 and January 2017, Historic Columbia installed historical markers at three sites with funding from the South Carolina Jewish Historical Society:

  • Site of the House of Peace Synagogue
  • Site of the Tree of Life Synagogue 
  • Beth Shalom Cemetery

Since 2017, the Columbia Jewish Heritage Initiative has served as the platform for the launch of two major projects: the Jewish Merchant Project and the 2023 book Kugels and Collards: Preserving and Sharing Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition in Jewish South Carolina. 
 

View Project Website

 

In Partnership With

College of Charleston Libraries Logo

Project Deliverables

Oral Histories
Historical Markers

Project Images

  • Moe Levy's Dry Goods, 1928. (College of Charleston)

    Moe Levy's Dry Goods, 1928. (College of Charleston)

  • House of Peace Synagogue Dedication, 1935. (Historic Columbia via Anne Solomon)

    House of Peace Synagogue Dedication, 1935. (Historic Columbia via Anne Solomon)

  • Tree of Life Historical Marker unveiling, 2017. (Historic Columbia)

    Tree of Life Historical Marker unveiling, 2017. (Historic Columbia)

Research Team

Katharine Allen

Director of Education and Interpretation

Email

(803) 252-7742 ext. 37

John Sherrer

Director of Preservation

Email

(803) 252-7742 ext. 28

‹ Back to projects

Reach Out to the Research Team

Historic Columbia supports all members of our community through project-based partnerships with tangible deliverables. Have an idea but not sure what comes next? Get in touch with a member of our team today!

Contact Us
NTHP Preservation Award Winner
Historic Columbia

© 2025 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tours
All historic house and garden tours start at the Welcome Center at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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