Civil Rights of the South
- November 10–16, 2025
- Starting from $3449
- For Jewish Singles
Join us on an inspiring 6-night tour through the American South as we explore the historic civil rights movement through the lens of Jewish values and traditions. This journey weaves together powerful storytelling, historic site visits, and moments of deep reflection. From the bustling streets of Atlanta to the sacred ground of Selma and the vibrant communities of Birmingham, each step uncovers stories of courage, resilience, and the shared pursuit of freedom.
Guided by expert educators and spiritual leaders, you’ll delve into the intersections of Jewish history and the fight for civil rights, connecting the past to our present commitments to justice. Through lectures, music, and community experiences, this journey offers an unforgettable opportunity to honor the past and inspire the future. Together, we’ll reflect on how the enduring principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world) continue to guide our actions today.
Why This Journey Matters
This journey is more than a historical tour—it is a call to action. Through interactive storytelling, expert-led discussions, and community experiences, participants will explore the profound connections between Jewish values and the civil rights movement. Together, we’ll honor the sacrifices of those who paved the way for justice and reflect on how we, as individuals and communities, can continue their legacy. Our days will be full and free time is very limited.
Our Educators
Reggie Harris has earned distinction as one of the foremost interpreters and song leaders of the music of the Underground Railroad and the Modern Civil Rights Movement. With a passion for peace and justice, Reggie travels worldwide using his gifts to share hope and raise awareness of human rights in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King’s beloved community.
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler has been building bridges between the African American and Jewish communities for decades. Ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Rabbi Kligler led the Woodstock Jewish Congregation in Woodstock, New York for 34 years, as it grew to be the largest synagogue community in the mid-Hudson Valley. Rabbi Kligler built close relationships with Black pastors in nearby churches, served as guest preacher in their pulpits, and led his community in many joint social action projects with these neighboring church communities. An accomplished musician, Rabbi Kligler toured the United States and Europe with Kim and Reggie Harris, performing their concert “Let My People Go: A Jewish and African American Celebration of Freedom” and leading workshops on Black-Jewish relations.
Click here to see a preview video of Civil Rights of the South.
Monday, November 10 – Welcome to Atlanta – Tour Begins
Arrive today in Atlanta in the Sunny South. After making your way from the airport to our hotel in the center of the city, enjoy the day at leisure as you settle in. This evening, we’ll join together for a Welcome and Orientation where you’ll meet your tour leaders and educators, followed by group dinner. Enjoy an inspiring keynote address by a special guest speaker, introducing the themes of justice, resilience and interfaith solidarity that will guide us through our journey. (D)
Tuesday, November 11 – Atlanta’s Legacy
Visit The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, a cutting-edge museum that immerses visitors in the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement. Highlights include the powerful Lunch Counter Sit-In Experience, where visitors can feel the tension of 1960s sit-ins through an interactive simulation. Exhibits also showcase the global impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent philosophy and connect the movement to modern human rights challenges in the US and throughout the world. Explore the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which includes King’s childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center. Reflect at Dr. King’s tomb beside a serene reflecting pool. Learn about how Dr. King’s work resonates with Jewish values, particularly the shared commitment to justice and equality. During dinner, join in a group discussion on Atlanta’s civil rights legacy and its connections to Jewish principles of justice. (B, L, D)
Wednesday, November 12 – Atlanta to Tuskegee and Montgomery
After breakfast, we depart Atlanta for and drive 2-hours to Tuskegee, where we’ll visit the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. At Moton Field, we’ll learn about the legendary African American pilots of WWII who broke racial barriers and inspired future generations. Restored aircraft, original buildings and personal stories highlight their resilience and accomplishments in the face of discrimination. Enjoy a group lunch in Tuskegee. Later, drive a short 45 minutes to Montgomery and visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Known as the “Lynching Memorial,” this sacred space commemorates victims of racial terror. You will walk through suspended steel columns engraved with names of those lynched, experiencing a visceral reminder of America’s painful history of racial violence. Facilitators will help connect these experiences to Jewish history and the universal pursuit of justice. This evening, join together for dinner in Montgomery and reflect on the day’s experiences. (B, L, D)
Thursday, November 13 – Montgomery to Selma “Praying with my Feet”
Today we’ll embark on a full-day journey along the Selma-to-Montgomery March route, retracing the footsteps of brave activists who fought for voting rights in 1965. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave one of his most famous speeches at the rally. The Voting Rights Act was signed on August 6th, 1965. Later, walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where marchers faced brutal violence on “Bloody Sunday.” Reflect on the courage of those who persevered, including Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who famously described marching with Dr. King as “praying with my feet.” We’ll visit the Lowndes Interpretive Center, which honors the sacrifices of the marchers and the grassroots efforts that propelled the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Stop at the Viola Liuzzo Memorial, dedicated to the Jewish activist who was shot and killed by the KKK while supporting the marchers. In Selma, hear from a guest speaker who participated in the civil rights movement and take a driving tour of key sites, deepening your understanding of the march’s legacy. This evening, return to Montgomery for dinner and a group discussion. (B, D)
Friday, November 14 – Montgomery to Birmingham
Begin the day at the Legacy Museum, located on the site of a former slave warehouse in Montgomery. Through multimedia exhibits and first-person narratives, travelers will explore the history of enslavement, racial terror, segregation, and mass incarceration. The museum highlights how historical injustices continue to shape modern systems of inequality. Enjoy lunch before driving 1.5 hours to Birmingham. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Beth El Civil Rights Experience, where travelers will learn about the involvement of Birmingham’s Jewish community in civil rights activism. Stories of allyship, courage, and shared struggles underscore the deep connections between Jewish values and the fight for justice. This evening, celebrate Shabbat with services and a special Shabbat dinner at a local synagogue, reflecting on themes of justice, unity, and community. (B, L, D)
Saturday, November 15 – Birmingham’s Legacy of Change
Visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, where exhibits recount pivotal events like the Birmingham Campaign and the desegregation of schools. You’ll hear personal testimonies and see powerful artifacts that bring this history to life. Walk through Kelly Ingram Park, a former protest staging ground, now home to sculptures depicting the courage of children and activists who faced brutal police violence. Take time to view the exterior of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of a tragic bombing in 1963 that killed four young girls, galvanizing the movement. Engage in discussions with local activists about the ongoing challenges in the pursuit of civil rights. This evening, we’ll join together for a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the progress made and recommitting to the work ahead. (B, D)
Sunday, November 16 – Closing Reflections and Departure – Tour Ends
We gather this morning for a closing reflection session, facilitated by expert educators, to share insights and personal commitments inspired by the journey. After, depart for home, carrying forward the inspiration and lessons of our Civil Rights tour. (B)
Our Hotels:
Nights 1-2 Whitley Atlanta Buckhead Hotel, Atlanta, GA
Nights 3-4 Trilogy Hotel, Montgomery, AL
Nights 5-6 Hilton UAB, Birmingham, AL
Please note: Alternate hotels may be used. The order of the tour may be changed. Some activities are weather dependent.
| Rates |
Twin* |
Single |
|
$3449 |
$4299 |
A deposit of $350 is due with your reservation. Final payment is due on August 1, 2025.
Rates listed are for final payments made by check. After the initial deposit, all payments made by credit card will have a 3% credit card fee.
* Amazing Journeys does not offer roommate matching but we may be able to help! If you would like to be connected with others who are looking for a roommate, please send an email to info@amazingjourneys.net. We can put you in touch with others who may have expressed interest so that you can discuss amongst yourselves. Please note – Amazing Journeys takes no responsibility for roommate matching and is unable to step in to settle disputes or disagreements that may arise. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel their reservation before the trip, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single supplement. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation. Please understand the list of those looking for a roommate may be very limited.
Prices are subject to change based on availability.
Pre-Nights: For those who want to arrive prior to the start of the tour, we have a limited number of rooms held at our group hotel. Please note – there will be no Amazing Journeys staff present, nor will there be programming on these days. Rates listed are per day and include taxes. Breakfast is not included. A deposit of $50 per night is due with your reservation.
Atlanta (November 8 or 9)
Twin* – $150 per person
Single – $300
Please note – This is a group exclusive vacation package. We are unable to make any of our package components available to anyone who is not part of our Amazing Journeys group.
Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website. All rooms are non-smoking.
Cancellation Policy: From the time of deposit until May 8, 2025, there is a $100 penalty for cancellation. From May 9 – August 7, 2025, the cancellation penalty is $350 for the tour and pre/post nights. From August 8 – September 8, 2025 the cancellation penalty is 50% of the cost of the tour for the tour and pre/post nights. From September 9, 2025 until the day of travel, the cancellation penalty is 100% of the cost of the tour and pre/post nights. Cancellations made on the day of departure and “no-shows” will receive no refund. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the journey. Your decision not to participate on the tour due to State Department advisories, fear of travel, illness or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation.
Travel Protection: Amazing Journeys recommends you purchase travel protection. Information will be sent with your tour confirmation.
Flights: Please do not purchase airfare until you receive a Confirmation Letter from Amazing Journeys. For this itinerary, flight parameters are as follows:
Arrive into Atlanta on November 10 – arrival in Atlanta (airport code ATL) before 12:00pm. Our first program will begin around 5:00pm.
Return from Birmingham on November 16 – depart from Birmingham (airport code BHM) any time after 2:00pm.
Transfers: Transfers upon arrival into Atlanta are not included. The hotel in Birmingham provides complimentary transfers to the airport. A surcharge may be added for those departing outside of typical hours, or may not be offered at all.
This trip is for you if: This trip is for you if you’re an on-the-go traveler – you don’t want to miss a thing, walking and standing for 2-3 hours isn’t a big deal and you’re able to walk at a moderate pace, covering several miles, hills and uneven surfaces. Walking four miles throughout the day is very doable and you can easily climb stairs. You can navigate hills and uneven/wet ground independently, climb up and into our bus several times per day. You can expect several early mornings and longer days balanced with limited free time to recharge. You must be in good health and prepare properly. This trip is not a fit for those who require assistance with walking or who travel on mobility devices.
Twin Accommodations: Twin accommodations are available if you and a friend are traveling together. Amazing Journeys takes no responsibility for roommate matching and is unable to step in to settle disputes or disagreements that may arise. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel their reservation or switch to a Single accommodation before the trip, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single supplement. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation. Please understand the list of those looking for a roommate may be very limited.
Passports & Visas: If you are arriving from outside of the US, a passport is necessary. It must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. Please check with the US Embassy to see whether you will need a visa to enter the US.
Baggage: Regardless of what your air carrier permits, each traveler will be limited to one checked suitcase and one carry-on bag. Your carry-on must fit up on the bus and cannot go under the bus unless you have a medical issue that prevents you from doing so. We recommend a backpack, tote bag or purse.
Fuel Surcharges: Should oil costs go above $65 a barrel and our tour operator adjusts the rate of the tour cost accordingly, we reserve the right to adjust the cost of the tour.
Taxes & Gratuities: Taxes, surcharges, and government fees are subject to change. Gratuities have been included on this tour and include tips for the local guides, drivers, luggage porters and included meals. Gratuities are not included for housekeeping staff in the hotels and tipping is at your discretion.
We must have a minimum of 20 participants in order to operate this tour.
