The World of the Play
Southern Jewish Culture & Customs
In Driving Miss Daisy, Alfred Uhry depicts the life and times of living and working in the southern states during the 1940s – 1970s. Throughout the play (and particularly in his portrayal of Miss Daisy) Uhry draws upon experiences from his own family background as well as the fascinating ‘braided cultures’ of Judaism and the southern lifestyle.
Southern Jewish culture can be traced back to the late 17th century when Sephardic Jews (European Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, or North African descent) immigrated to the American South. Soon, Jewish customs blended with southern culture, and by 1830 Jews living in Charleston, South Carolina comprised the largest Jewish community in North America. After 1830, a substantial increase of Ashkenazi Jews (of German or Eastern European descent) immigrated to America settling mostly in Philadelphia and New York cities as well as, but to a lesser degree, the cities of New Orleans, Richmond, Savannah, and Baltimore.
Southern Jewish Culture & Customs
In Driving Miss Daisy, Alfred Uhry depicts the life and times of living and working in the southern states during the 1940s – 1970s. Throughout the play (and particularly in his portrayal of Miss Daisy) Uhry draws upon experiences from his own family background as well as the fascinating ‘braided cultures’ of Judaism and the southern lifestyle.
Southern Jewish culture can be traced back to the late 17th century when Sephardic Jews (European Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, or North African descent) immigrated to the American South. Soon, Jewish customs blended with southern culture, and by 1830 Jews living in Charleston, South Carolina comprised the largest Jewish community in North America. After 1830, a substantial increase of Ashkenazi Jews (of German or Eastern European descent) immigrated to America settling mostly in Philadelphia and New York cities as well as, but to a lesser degree, the cities of New Orleans, Richmond, Savannah, and Baltimore.
