||History Department Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities
As the third oldest city in Louisiana, Opelousas has embraced a
diverse array of ethnic groups over the past three centuries.
French colonists first settled in this area of Southwest
Louisiana in the late seventeenth century and Opelousas soon
emerged as a lucrative trading post with local Indians. Acadian
exiles settled in the area in the mid 18th century, and their
unique culture still shapes daily life in “Cajun country” today.
Jews have also left an indelible mark on Opelousas’ economy.
Fleeing from persecution and legal discrimination, a small
number of Jews from throughout Europe made their homes in
Opelousas and emerged as some of the most prominent citizens and
successful businessmen. Jews did not come to Opelousas as
itinerant peddlers, but rather as industrious settlers who
sought to fill unmet needs for the city’s citizens. In 1852,
David Roos arrived in Opelousas with his wife from Paris and
quickly became one of the most successful