Jewish heritage pops up in the least expected places. Any fan of roadside America will appreciate these idiosyncratic attractions. No matter how offbeat, off the beaten track or downright bizarre, these gems of Americana tell important stories. American history and Jewish heritage come together in a fascinating melange, best savored one item at a time. Here are a few sites to start you on your journey.

Mount Ripinsky

A favorite of hikers, Mount Ripinsky bears the name of Haines schoolteacher, business owner and eventually mayor, Polish-born Jew Solomon Ripinsky. The “frozen chosen” are a special breed, indeed. The first mayors of both Anchorage and Fairbanks were Jewish. Visitors may be surprised to find evidence of Jewish pioneers past and present throughout the state.

Haines, Alaska

Houdini Museum

Harry Houdini, aka Erich Weiss born in Budapest, seems to have enjoyed his performances in the Scranton area. Houdini spent his early years in Appleton, Wisconsin, where his father served for a time as rabbi. The magician later claimed that his finest trick was actually getting out of Appleton. In Scranton, visitors enjoy Houdini memorabilia as well as magic shows in his honor.

1433 North Main Avenue Scranton, PA

Shoney’s Monument

That the restaurant chain Shoney’s was established in West Virginia might not surprise anyone, but that its name derives from “Schoenbaum” just might. That’s right: Betty and Alex Schoenbaum founded the original Shoney’s, then called the Parkette, in 1947. Shoney’s was among the first chains to have the “Big Boy” franchise. In 2009 the Schoenbaum family erected a small memorial designed by the Schoenbaums’ daughter Emily on a 14-foot-high pillar at the site of the original restaurant.

Kanawha Boulevard Charleston, WV

The National Mustard Museum

Barry Levenson is the curator of all things mustard and founder of the National Mustard Museum. The soul of a Borscht-belt comedian and the acuity of a Talmudic scholar manifest themselves throughout this foodie’s paradise. The museum features a vast collection of mustard memorabilia and historical items and shop with hundreds of mustards and related items. Anyone who purchases the kosher mustard gift box will receive two Mustard Museum yarmulkes inscribed, “MUSTARD—It’s the mitzvah for your sandwich.”

7477 Hubbard Avenue Middleton, WI

Temple Emanu-El

If you ever wondered where Levi Strauss, “inventor” of the United States’ iconic blue jeans, went to shul, look no further. Jews attracted by the Gold Rush founded San Francisco’s original Temple Emanu-El. Levi Strauss sponsored an award for talented students at the temple and participated actively in the community. The congregation moved to the current Lake Street and Arguello Boulevard location in 1926 and immediately won rave reviews for architecture. Architect Arthur Brown, Jr., who had been a partner in the design of the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge, drew inspiration from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Emanu-El remains known for its active community service, which includes a number of celebrity congregants.

2 Lake Street San Francisco, CA