Louis Armstrong and the Star of David: A Lifelong Tribute

Louis Armstrong, one of history’s most beloved and influential jazz musicians, was rarely seen without his Star of David necklace. While many assumed it was simply a fashion statement, Armstrong wore it as a deeply personal tribute to the Jewish family who took him in as a child and helped shape his future.

Born in poverty in New Orleans, Armstrong found support and kindness from the Karnofskys, a Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant family that employed him as a young boy. They not only gave him meals and stability but also encouraged his love of music—helping him buy his first cornet on an installment plan.

Armstrong never forgot their generosity. Later, he wrote about the kindness and discrimination the Karnofskys faced, which mirrored his own experiences as a Black man in America. Although he was a Baptist, In gratitude, he wore the Star of David throughout his life, a symbol of his appreciation and a reminder of the lessons of compassion and resilience they instilled in him. Armstrong’s story is a testament to how small acts of kindness can change a life forever and how bonds between communities can transcend race, religion, and time.