Civil Rights Journey Atlanta Birmingham-selma montgomery lagrange atlanta
Trip 2: No Memphis, with Shabbat
May 13–17, 2027, 5 days / 4 nights, from $2,250
Atlanta – Birmingham – Selma – Montgomery – LaGrange – Atlanta
May 13–17, 2027
Overview
This journey brings you face to face with the history of the Civil Rights Movement and with the Jewish communities of the South whose story is woven into it. Traveling through Alabama and Georgia, you will hear directly from foot soldiers who marched as young people, stand in the places where history turned, and learn how Southern Jews navigated the movement, from those who spoke out to those who faced difficult choices about whether to. In Birmingham, we welcome Shabbat at the historic Temple Emanu-El and take part in Temple Beth El’s “In Solidarity” program, exploring the relationship between the Black and Jewish communities, then and now. Throughout the journey, we connect what we see to Jewish values such as Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (justice, justice you shall pursue) and B’tzelem Elohim (every person is created in the divine image), with time to reflect together each day. Whether you lived through these years or learned about them in school, you will come away with a deeper understanding of the past, a stronger connection to Jewish history and values, and a renewed sense of your own role in the work of justice today.
Trip highlights
- Discover the roots of the blues and its ties to the Civil Rights Movement on Memphis' Beale Street, including a private Juke Joint experience
- Meet a foot soldier who, as a teenager, helped lead the Birmingham Children’s Crusade.
- Walk across Selma’s historic Edmund Pettus Bridge after hearing firsthand stories of courage, struggle, and the fight for voting rights
- Visit the EJI Legacy Museum, Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery
- Experience Temple Beth El's "In Solidarity" program and Kabbalat Shabbat at Temple Emanu-El, exploring the role of the Jewish community in the Civil Rights Movement
- Learn the story of reconciliation in LaGrange, Georgia, and the legacy of Austin Calloway
- Close the journey at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta
Judaic connections
- This journey is grounded in Jewish wisdom and Jewish values. Participants study Jewish texts, meet the Jewish communities of the South, and uncover the deep and often overlooked role Jews played in the Civil Rights Movement.
Activity level
Walking up to 2 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over uneven terrain. Standing for up to 1.5 hours at a time. Motorcoach is used as transportation and will require participants to navigate some stairs. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Good to know
Individual enrollment; minimum 25 / maximum 50 participants per departure. Registration is first-come, first-served, and open to travelers 21 and up. Group inquiries can be sent to info@tzedekamerica.org.
Ready to join us? Registration closes March 9, 2027. Full payment is due at registration.
At a glance
Civil Rights Journey
Learn about the Memphis Blues, visit the National Civil Rights Museum and walk in the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement across the American South, through a Jewish lens.
- From
- $2,250
- per traveler, shared room
- Single room: $3,050
May 13–17, 2027 (5 Days / 4 Nights)
- Dates May 13–17, 2027
- Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Starts Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), 1:00 PM
- Ends Atlanta, Georgia (flight departure after 7:00 PM)
- Meals included 12 meals (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners)
- Activity level Moderate: up to 2 miles of walking per day, some stairs
- Register by March 9, 2027
Have questions?
Email us, and we can answer all of your questions!
- info@tzedekamerica.org
- See all contact options
Trip highlights
- Meet a foot soldier who, as a teenager, helped lead the Birmingham Children’s Crusade.
- Walk across Selma’s historic Edmund Pettus Bridge after hearing firsthand stories of courage, struggle, and the fight for voting rights
- Visit the EJI Legacy Museum, Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery
- Experience Temple Beth El's "In Solidarity" program and Kabbalat Shabbat at Temple Emanu-El, exploring the role of the Jewish community in the Civil Rights Movement
- Learn the story of reconciliation in LaGrange, Georgia, and the legacy of Austin Calloway
- Close the journey at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta
Ready to join us? Registration closes March 9, 2027. Full payment is due at registration.
- Dates May 13–17, 2027
- Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Starts Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), 1:00 PM
- Ends Atlanta, Georgia (flight departure after 7:00 PM)
- Meals included 12 meals (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners)
- Activity level Moderate: up to 2 miles of walking per day, some stairs
Day 1: Thursday, May 13 – Atlanta to Birmingham
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia to Birmingham, Alabama
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Stay: E.g. Residence Inn Downtown Birmingham
- Activity Note: Meet at the BBQ lunch stop at 1:00 PM.
- Afternoon: Travel by bus to a BBQ stop for a late lunch with special guests.
- Evening: Continue to Birmingham. Dinner on the road, followed by hotel check-in.
Day 2: Friday, May 14 – Birmingham: Courage and Community
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Stay: E.g. Residence Inn Downtown Birmingham
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a morning meeting.
- Morning: Enjoy a professionally guided tour of Kelly Ingram Park. Explore the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and visit 16th Street Baptist Church.
- Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Afternoon: Participate in Temple Beth El’s “In Solidarity” experience. Meet with a Foot Soldier who marched in the 1963 Children’s Crusade.
- Evening: Attend Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner at Temple Emanu-El.
Day 3: Saturday, May 15 – Birmingham to Selma to Montgomery
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama → Selma, Alabama → Montgomery, Alabama
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Stay: E.g. Residence Inn Downtown Montgomery
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel in Birmingham.
- Morning: Travel to Selma. Take a guided bus tour of Selma and walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
- Lunch: Enjoy lunch with a Foot Soldier at 5 & Dime in Selma.
- Afternoon/Evening: Travel to Montgomery and check in at the hotel. Participate in Havdalah. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4: Sunday, May 16 – Montgomery: Legacy Sites
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Stay: E.g. Residence Inn Downtown Montgomery
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
- Morning: Enjoy a boat ride on the Alabama River and visit the EJI Freedom Monument Sculpture Park.
- Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Afternoon: Visit the EJI Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.
- Evening: Attend the final banquet and enjoy activities in Downtown Montgomery.
Day 5: Monday, May 17 – LaGrange & Atlanta: Departure
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia, via LaGrange, Georgia
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Stay: Not applicable – the program concludes today.
- Activity Note: Flight departure after 7:00 PM.
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel in Montgomery.
- Morning: Travel to LaGrange, Georgia. Visit Warren Temple Methodist Church and learn about the 1940 lynching of Austin Calloway.
- Lunch: Boxed lunch.
- Afternoon: Travel to Atlanta and participate in a closing circle at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
- Departure: Depart from Atlanta Airport after 7:00 PM.
Route: Atlanta → Birmingham → Selma → Montgomery → LaGrange → Atlanta. Select a day to zoom in. Route shown is approximate.
- Meals included 12 meals (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners)