Martin Perlmutter, longtime executive director of both the College of Charleston’s Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program and the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina, was recently awarded the Order of the Jewish Palmetto by the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina.

Martin Perlmutter, longtime executive director of both the College of Charleston’s Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program and the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina (JHSSC), was recently awarded the Order of the Jewish Palmetto by the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina during the society’s spring meeting on the CofC campus.

The only award the JHSSC presents, the Order of the Jewish Palmetto is bestowed on those who have made extraordinary contributions to the society. Previous recipients are Ann Meddin Hellman, Solomon Breibart, Max Heller and Trude Schonthal Heller, and State Senator Isadore Lourie.

“It is with enormous pride and pleasure that we award Marty Perlmutter the Order of the Jewish Palmetto,” said JHSSC President Jeffrey Rosenblum. “This award is only given to those rare few who have made extraordinary contributions to the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. The Society exists today because of Marty’s leadership, vision and calm demeanor. We wish him well as he begins his next chapter.”

Perlmutter, who will retire from the College this July, has directed the society since its inception in 1994, as well as the College’s Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program since 1991. Under his leadership, the JHSSC has grown to surpass 500 dues-paying members, and has engaged in a number of significant projects in order to promote the proud history of South Carolina Jews.