After our flight, and the opportunity to grab some food at the airport, we grabbed our bags and met up with Billy Planer – founder and director of Etgar36. Billy has the amazing opportunity to run study trips for groups all over the country, and we were incredibly excited to begin our time with him. Billy spoke to us about how anyone could go on a site-seeing tour. And that yes, we would be seeing a good amount of the South (not Florida, as he comically stated when asking the students if they had ever visited the South, the real South). He then specified that we would be going on a journey. The difference was that we could stand in one place the entire trip and it would be a journey. We’re going to combine the site seeing and the processing of those sites to make our journey come to life.
We had one stop before we headed to the hotel to make sure we are all well rested for our first full day. We gathered together at the steps of the old Pencil Factory in Atlanta, GA.
While it has recently been turned into an ethnic restuaruant and loft space, this building used to be the home of a thriving factory that produced pencils in 1913. The owner of the factory was a man named Leo Frank, a Jew from Queens. Without reciting the whole story, the students learned about how he was falsely convicted of a murder, and ultimately lynched in a very public way.
Back at the hotel we provided the students with a number of different ways that they could process what we had seen and heard. We asked them to react to the story, to try to articulate how the story made them feel different about being an American Jew, or to try to guess why Billy had deliberately chosen the Leo Frank story to kick off our time together.
Our goals, as leaders of this journey are numerous. We want the kids to remember all the stories we hear, to remember all the places we visit, and also to deepen their connection to their peers, teachers, and clergy members in a profound way. What is also incredibly important to us is that they are able to see/hear/feel all of these things and then translate those experiences into words – words which help them to articulate how these experiences impact who they are as a Jewish teenager. Here’s what they had to say:
Alex M.
I thought that the Leo Frank section of our “journey” was a very eye-opening experience for me, and a great beginning to the trip. I realized how unaware I had been of the anti-Semitism in the early 1900s. This is such an unbelievable story, and I wonder why I had never heard it in history class or at Hebrew school. It made me feel a little shaken as a Jew in America. I always thought that anti-Semitism was never a major problem anywhere in America. The instance of the KKK action against Leo Frank, and them going after Jews, was very surprising to me. I think that we went to this spot first for this exact reason; to open our eyes to anti-Semitism in the South in the 1900s, and show us that it wasn’t just hatred against blacks. In addition to this, I think it was also to open our minds to thinking about Jewish segregation as well as black segregation. It was also to show us that Jews felt a little like outsiders in the South.
I thought that the Leo Frank section of our “journey” was a very eye-opening experience for me, and a great beginning to the trip. I realized how unaware I had been of the anti-Semitism in the early 1900s. This is such an unbelievable story, and I wonder why I had never heard it in history class or at Hebrew school. It made me feel a little shaken as a Jew in America. I always thought that anti-Semitism was never a major problem anywhere in America. The instance of the KKK action against Leo Frank, and them going after Jews, was very surprising to me. I think that we went to this spot first for this exact reason; to open our eyes to anti-Semitism in the South in the 1900s, and show us that it wasn’t just hatred against blacks. In addition to this, I think it was also to open our minds to thinking about Jewish segregation as well as black segregation. It was also to show us that Jews felt a little like outsiders in the South.
Diana S.
I think we started the journey here because the story of Leo Frank shows not only the trouble for black people but the trouble for Jews as well. As Jews from the North in New York City, a very prominent area for Jews, we do not hear much about the troubles of Jews in the South. This story also really piqued my interest about the rest of the trip. I am not very interested in Jews in the South. The fact that a black person was shown preference in a crime over a Jew in 1915 really surprised me. In school, we talk about the troubles for blacks in the Civil Rights Movement, but evidently what I did not know was that Jews had troubles gaining equal rights as well. I also thought that America was pretty much a safe place for Jews, but I did not know that anti-Semitism was so prominent in the South.
I think we started the journey here because the story of Leo Frank shows not only the trouble for black people but the trouble for Jews as well. As Jews from the North in New York City, a very prominent area for Jews, we do not hear much about the troubles of Jews in the South. This story also really piqued my interest about the rest of the trip. I am not very interested in Jews in the South. The fact that a black person was shown preference in a crime over a Jew in 1915 really surprised me. In school, we talk about the troubles for blacks in the Civil Rights Movement, but evidently what I did not know was that Jews had troubles gaining equal rights as well. I also thought that America was pretty much a safe place for Jews, but I did not know that anti-Semitism was so prominent in the South.
Jack U.
I think this really changed my view of myself as an American Jew because this story really made me realize that I am one of not many Jews in the world. Of course before this I knew number-wise that Jews were extremely outnumbered but I didn’t realize how much we are different compared to the rest of the world and how much we stand out. We as a people have really been looked down upon throughout periods of history. I am not able to experience this because I live in a very Jewish environment in NYC. I think this is bad for me because after this night I feel like I, and the rest of us here, are so unaware of how much Jews have had to deal with all around the world – and even in the US. So I think this night has changed my view as an American Jew but more as a Jew from New York.
I think this really changed my view of myself as an American Jew because this story really made me realize that I am one of not many Jews in the world. Of course before this I knew number-wise that Jews were extremely outnumbered but I didn’t realize how much we are different compared to the rest of the world and how much we stand out. We as a people have really been looked down upon throughout periods of history. I am not able to experience this because I live in a very Jewish environment in NYC. I think this is bad for me because after this night I feel like I, and the rest of us here, are so unaware of how much Jews have had to deal with all around the world – and even in the US. So I think this night has changed my view as an American Jew but more as a Jew from New York.
Matt S.
The point of starting the journey the way we did was to learn the very beginning of our story through the whole Civil Rights Movement. Also, we were exposed to a deep and impacting story before we see any other sites, to give us an idea of what to expect out of the whole journey. To start from the bad news, and then move to the good news later.
The point of starting the journey the way we did was to learn the very beginning of our story through the whole Civil Rights Movement. Also, we were exposed to a deep and impacting story before we see any other sites, to give us an idea of what to expect out of the whole journey. To start from the bad news, and then move to the good news later.
Austin O.
The location of the Pencil Factory , where Mary Phagin was killed, was an appropriate starting point for our Civil Rights Journey. As we learned from Billy, the lynching of Leo Frank was a direct result of the murder of Mary Phagin. Leo Frank’s lynching awakened Southern Jews to the troubles of Jews in the South. It also was a major catalyst for Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Jews saw that the horrors of bigotry and discrimination could lead to in the case of Leo Frank, and consequently recognized and tried to stop these horrors from being committed against other groups as well. So in conclusion, the location of Mary Phagin’s murder is an appropriate place to start our Journey because this event was the catalyst for Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, of of the major things we are seeking to learn about on this trip.
The location of the Pencil Factory , where Mary Phagin was killed, was an appropriate starting point for our Civil Rights Journey. As we learned from Billy, the lynching of Leo Frank was a direct result of the murder of Mary Phagin. Leo Frank’s lynching awakened Southern Jews to the troubles of Jews in the South. It also was a major catalyst for Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Jews saw that the horrors of bigotry and discrimination could lead to in the case of Leo Frank, and consequently recognized and tried to stop these horrors from being committed against other groups as well. So in conclusion, the location of Mary Phagin’s murder is an appropriate place to start our Journey because this event was the catalyst for Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, of of the major things we are seeking to learn about on this trip.
Noah K.
The reason why we started our journey out at the Pencil Factory was so we can understand the racism and anti-Semitism of the South in 1913. And what we talked about played out the rest of the Civil Rights Movement. It caused a lot of panic for Jews in Atlanta. As we go to Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, we want to be thinking about what happened here and to hate that it happened almost 100 years ago.
The reason why we started our journey out at the Pencil Factory was so we can understand the racism and anti-Semitism of the South in 1913. And what we talked about played out the rest of the Civil Rights Movement. It caused a lot of panic for Jews in Atlanta. As we go to Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, we want to be thinking about what happened here and to hate that it happened almost 100 years ago.
Scott E.
I think the trial of Leo Frank is a perfect example of prejudice in the South. I feel that America still has some prejudice going on today, not to the same extremes but it still goes on. No matter what we say it will always be there. Since we have studied the past we aren’t bound to repeat it. Though I do not believe the saying entirely, I believe it pertains to the topic quite nicely. I was also shocked to find out that they still haven’t pardoned Leo Frank. I also think this is a perfect example of group mentality.
I think the trial of Leo Frank is a perfect example of prejudice in the South. I feel that America still has some prejudice going on today, not to the same extremes but it still goes on. No matter what we say it will always be there. Since we have studied the past we aren’t bound to repeat it. Though I do not believe the saying entirely, I believe it pertains to the topic quite nicely. I was also shocked to find out that they still haven’t pardoned Leo Frank. I also think this is a perfect example of group mentality.
Nate G.
I didn’t realize anti-Semitism was as prominent as it was in American society. It is really eye opening to hear how violent people were. I am learning how much the Civil Rights Movement relates to me. It was so interesting to be able to envision, from the point of view of the Southerners, seeing the white Northerners come to the South during the Civil Rights Movement for a weekend or however long they were there for, and then just return to their safe homes up North. The Southerners in the movement on the other hand, did not have that luxury and that guarantee of safety. They could have a white activist living right next to them who could strike at any moment. Also, the people who they were standing up against could be the people who were their doctor or local judge. These people had power over them and there was always the threat of them taking advantage of their power. It makes you feel lucky to be living in a society with more advance moral codes and ideologies. Before we went to the Leo Frank site I had assumed that it would just be an isolated event in history where an anti-Semitic act took place. However, I now understand how much it affects Jews throughout the country. I just found out that the (local) KKK was reinstated because of this event. It is really eye opening to see that a Jew could be framed for an act so easily – a relatively short time ago! This was a great way to begin our trip because it really puts American anti-Semitism into perspective. Before tonight, I didn’t realize the extent of it at all. I think it really helped me to understand why we’re here.
I didn’t realize anti-Semitism was as prominent as it was in American society. It is really eye opening to hear how violent people were. I am learning how much the Civil Rights Movement relates to me. It was so interesting to be able to envision, from the point of view of the Southerners, seeing the white Northerners come to the South during the Civil Rights Movement for a weekend or however long they were there for, and then just return to their safe homes up North. The Southerners in the movement on the other hand, did not have that luxury and that guarantee of safety. They could have a white activist living right next to them who could strike at any moment. Also, the people who they were standing up against could be the people who were their doctor or local judge. These people had power over them and there was always the threat of them taking advantage of their power. It makes you feel lucky to be living in a society with more advance moral codes and ideologies. Before we went to the Leo Frank site I had assumed that it would just be an isolated event in history where an anti-Semitic act took place. However, I now understand how much it affects Jews throughout the country. I just found out that the (local) KKK was reinstated because of this event. It is really eye opening to see that a Jew could be framed for an act so easily – a relatively short time ago! This was a great way to begin our trip because it really puts American anti-Semitism into perspective. Before tonight, I didn’t realize the extent of it at all. I think it really helped me to understand why we’re here.
Oliver E.
Wow! An amazing first impression of Atlanta. The Leo Frank site at the Pencil factory showed me how oppressed Jews were and also how easily minority groups can be manipulated by a majority. My grandma is a Jew from Macon, GA. She was one of a few Jews in her school: another being her sister. She has always told me about her experiences as a Jew in the South. While she always told me it could be uncomfortable, I never realized the depth of how Jews were not considered equal in the South, pre-Civil Rights Movement. As Billy said, the only reason Jews were not as oppressed as African-Americans was because Jews had the ability to blend in (skin color). The reason Jews and African-Americans were oppressed was not because they were not good people but because they were different form the majority of people: either in reference to their appearance and skin color or in reference to their beliefs and religion. Today there are 160,000 Jews in Atlanta alone. How have we come from a time when a Jew was lynched for doing something he was innocent of to a time when Jews play a large role in that same community where Leo Frank was lynched? What people and what events happened to enact this huge change and I wonder if Jews still face struggles today. I know I will learn more about Jews’ struggles to gain rights and respect over the next few days, and I cant wait to talk about all I learned with my grandma and finally understand and appreciate what she went through as a southern Jew before the Civil Rights Movement.
Wow! An amazing first impression of Atlanta. The Leo Frank site at the Pencil factory showed me how oppressed Jews were and also how easily minority groups can be manipulated by a majority. My grandma is a Jew from Macon, GA. She was one of a few Jews in her school: another being her sister. She has always told me about her experiences as a Jew in the South. While she always told me it could be uncomfortable, I never realized the depth of how Jews were not considered equal in the South, pre-Civil Rights Movement. As Billy said, the only reason Jews were not as oppressed as African-Americans was because Jews had the ability to blend in (skin color). The reason Jews and African-Americans were oppressed was not because they were not good people but because they were different form the majority of people: either in reference to their appearance and skin color or in reference to their beliefs and religion. Today there are 160,000 Jews in Atlanta alone. How have we come from a time when a Jew was lynched for doing something he was innocent of to a time when Jews play a large role in that same community where Leo Frank was lynched? What people and what events happened to enact this huge change and I wonder if Jews still face struggles today. I know I will learn more about Jews’ struggles to gain rights and respect over the next few days, and I cant wait to talk about all I learned with my grandma and finally understand and appreciate what she went through as a southern Jew before the Civil Rights Movement.
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