Description: Jews have been part of our Southern history since colonial times. Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience executive director Kenneth Hoffman will share the story of how MSJE came to New Orleans, what visitors can find there, and how its mission benefits New Orleans, the South, and the nation. Thirteen states, 350 years, and countless fried matzo balls

Bio: Kenneth Hoffman was born in Houston and raised in Baton Rouge. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. in history from Tulane University. Kenneth has worked as a grant writer for the New Orleans Museum of Art and as the curator of education at the Louisiana State Museum. From 2004-06, he served as president of the Louisiana Association of Museums, leading it through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In 2017, he ended an eighteen-year tenure as director of education at The National WWII Museum when he was hired to create the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, in New Orleans, which opened in May 2021. He currently serves as the museum’s executive director. Kenneth, his wife, and their two children live in New Orleans’ Black Pearl neighborhood, yet don't eat at Camellia Grill nearly enough.