The Story of the Jews in Georgia includes involvement in the civil rights movement with Rabbi Jacob Rothschild leading the fight.

That’s one of the main takeaways of a Tribute to Rabbi Rothschild, a panel discussion held at GPB studios earlier this week.

The event was presented to complement the national airing of The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama That program gives a sweeping history of Jewish culture throughout the world.

GPB’s panel discussion turned the lens on Georgia’s Jewish heritage and a dismal chapter in the state’s history: the temple bombing. Guest blogger Jeremy Katz, from the Breman Museum, gives an account of the event in this post.

But hearing accounts of what happened from real people who were in Atlanta at the time and attended the Temple, make the story come alive.

The panel discussion afforded that opportunity as Janice Rothschild Blumberg, the widow of Rabbi Rothschild, was one of the guests. She described how she learned about the bombing and received a phone threat with her characteristic detail and wit.

While the bombing blew apart the Temple, it drew blacks and whites together to fight social injustice and build a better city.

You can use this panel discussion as a resource in telling Georgia’s civil rights history and its Jewish history. Watch the video below.