In Remote Communities, Familiar Traditions

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Writer Charles London recently spent a year, traveling to far-flung Jewish communities abroad — from Rangoon, Burma to Esfahan, Iran — as well as to two vibrant communities in the American South and, ultimately, to Israel. He recounts the journey in his new book, “Far From Zion: In Search of a Global Jewish Community” (William Morrow). He recently visited the Forward’s studio to discuss the lost Virginia shtetl that was the impetus for his journey, what the Jewish communities of New Orleans, La. and Uganda have in common, and where, in his travels, he felt most and least comfortable as a gay, Jewish American.
Listen to the podcast:
View a slideshow of the stops along Charles London’s journey:
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
