The History of Jews in Memphis

This episode will walk us through the history of the Jewish people in and around Memphis. Our panel for this show includes Barry Lichterman and Jeff Winstock along with our usual contributors, Mike Vanelli and John Robilio. Take a listen as we discuss prominent members of the Memphis community, past and present.

Alan Barry Lichterman was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis with degrees in Communications and Political Science.

Barry served as CEO and President of his family business, Lichterman Shoe Company, which had 68 retail locations including Lottie’s Shoes and leased shoe departments in SteinMart and Spiegel Outlet Stores. After the company was sold in late 90’s Barry then became a partner in Zoomedia, Inc., a San Francisco-based IT company.  

Barry is currently Managing Partner and Member of several real estate companies including Lichterman Loewenberg Properties, LLC, Poplar Yates Associates, and Knickerbocker Plaza, LLC. Barry and his partner, Blake Lichterman, own and operate The Lichterman Group, LLC.

Barry has also been active in the not-for-profit arena, serving as President of the Memphis Museums, Inc., the private sector governing body of the Pink Palace Family of Museums in Memphis. He is one of the Founders of the Levitt Shell outdoor amphitheater in Memphis’s Overton Park. The arena’s operations are privately funded, raised from sponsorships, donations, retail and food/beverage sales, and ticketed fundraising events. Barry also served as President of the Memphis Zoo in the late 80’s. He serves on the board of the Memphis River Parks Partnership (the former Riverfront Development Corporation) which oversees operations and development of the Memphis Riverfront and Mud Island River Park. Barry’s past board memberships include Temple Israel Memphis, Memphis Jewish Federation, Memphis Jewish Community Center,  New Ballet Ensemble, and MidSouth Sober Living.

Show Notes:

Southern Leather – visit their website.

Lichterman Nature Center – visit their website.

Judy Ringle – Her book Children of Israel can be found here.

Temple Israel – visit their website.

Rabbi Wax – a link to his collection at the Digital Archive of the Memphis Public Libraries can be found here.

Marvin Ballin – Mr Ballin passed away at the age of 87. Read more here.

This episode dedicated to David Schneider and Steven Lipson

At the time this podcast was recorded (October 2018) we have just had a tragedy unfold in Pennsylvania. On Saturday Oct 27th a gunman killed 11 members of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Those killed were:

Daniel Stein, 71

Joyce Feinberg, 75

Richard Gottfried, 65

Rose Mallinger, 97

Jerry Rabinowitz, 66

brothers Cecil Rosenthal, 59 and David Rosenthal 54

husband and wife Bernice Simon, 84 and Sylvan Simon, 86

Melvin Wax, 88

and Irving Younger, 69.

This episode is also dedicated their their memory.

Research team: Joe V Lowry, Mike Vanelli, Trish Gully
Moderator: John Robilio
Editors: Trish Gully, Judy Ringle
Producer: Mark White 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS