Men of Kindness

Men of Kindness. . , Jewish Community , In 1841 Vicksburg became home to the first established Jewish congregation in Mississippi, Anshe Chesed, meaning "men of kindness" in Hebrew. Many of the early Jewish immigrants came from what is now part of modern Germany. Jewish families were welcomed into the community. The Jewish community in Vicksburg initially lived quite modestly as peddlers and small merchants, but after the Civil War many grew to be very prosperous. By the early 20th Century, most of the businesses in Vicksburg were Jewish owned., The Rise of Jewish Merchants , Many homes bearing their names still exist around Vicksburg and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The large home on the corner belonged to a prominent Jewish businessman, Joseph Bazsinsky. He operated a farm and raised horses on land about 3 miles to the south, along with a livery stable and dry goods store. In 1857 he purchased the lot and the construction of the home was completed shortly after the Civil War (exact date is unknown). Here he raised his 14 children and his descendants lived in this house until early in the 21st Century., Anshe Chesed Cemetery , The Jewish cemetery, adjacent to the Vicksburg National Military Park, dates back to 1864. Tombstones through out the cemetery bear the names of many local and nationally-known prominent Jewish families., Magnificent Temple , Vicksburg's Jewish community erected a Temple that was completed in May of 1870. The elaborate dedication service for the Anshe Chesed Temple was attended by leading religious and political figures from throughout the state, including the governor of Mississippi. , Photo caption , The "Magnificent Temple" from the roof of the Court House in 1876.