Southern Jewish Life, New Orleans, Sept. 2024

Israeli university launching unique mental health trauma center spurred by distinctive nature of Oct. 7 attack

By Elana Sztokman

How do you deal with the trauma of the deadliest day Jews have experienced since the Holocaust?

This was the question Israeli trauma experts faced in the wake of Oct. 7, 2023, when over 1,200 Israelis were killed and some 250 taken captive in Hamas’s attack on Israel.

The massive attack by terrorists immediately was followed by additional traumas: The displacement of tens of thousands of Israelis from their homes in the conflict zones. The subsequent war, which has left hundreds more soldiers dead and thousands wounded. Emotional scarring on a national scale.

At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, some of Israel’s foremost trauma experts set to work to design new clinical approaches and train therapists to deal with these traumas.

“These experiences are beyond anything we have seen,” said Professor Asher Ben-Arieh, dean of the university’s Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare and CEO of the Haruv Institute for the Study of Child Maltreatment, noting that some children were taken hostage and witnessed their parents’ murder or kidnapping. “The tools we have used until now are not sufficient. We need new solutions and new ideas for how to treat these traumas.”

Ben-Arieh estimates that 25% to 50% of those who experienced trauma were likely to develop problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, complex grief, or difficulties in marital, social, or occupational adjustments.

To meet these new needs, Hebrew University’s Israel Center for Addiction and Mental Health set about to launch the Institute for Traumatic Stress and Recovery to create a multidisciplinary, academic-clinical hub to address trauma-related research, training, prevention, treatment, and resilience promotion.

Some have stress, grief, and difficulty coping with the effects of being relocated. Since Oct. 7 people are more stressed in general. They may experience more negative thinking, trouble sleeping, more physical aches and pains, muscle tension. Things may set them off more easily.”

Many experts in the field say it long has been clear that Israel needs to improve its overall approach to mental health. There has been insufficient training of mental health professionals using evidence-based best practices treating trauma, a lack of integration between research and practice, and a lack of awareness among the public at large about the impacts of collective traumatic stress.

The events of Oct. 7 drew attention to those problems while adding the urgent need for new approaches to trauma specific to this historical event.

The new institute, which will offer a rare combination of research with clinical practice, training, and advocacy, has raised 25% of its budget so far and is actively seeking support for the remainder.

“We need enough money to have a stable center to think out of the box,” Ben-Arieh said. “And we need it urgently. We’re not even post trauma. We are not past this. It’s still happening.”

After the shock of the initial Hamas attack, Ben-Arieh and his colleague Ofrit Shapira Berman, a Hebrew University professor who specializes in treating adult survivors of complex childhood trauma, joined an October 7 National Task Force to care for children who were abducted.

Working with Israel’s Ministry of Social Services and other governmental bodies, the task force trained the security services who first greeted the abducted children upon their release in late November 2023 to ensure the children would not be retraumatized in the process of their release. They also worked with their parents.

The Institute for Traumatic Stress and Recovery aims to give therapists and trauma survivors evidence-based practices and technologies, accessible via Israel’s public health system, to enhance the healing and recovery of Israelis grappling with the enormity of these traumas. The institute will conduct research, train therapists in new evidence-based practices, and provide patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated care.

“This proactive approach will not only enhance the capacity for timely and effective trauma intervention, but also contribute to a more informed and resilient community as a whole,” said Hebrew University psychology professor Jonathan Huppert, who is involved in the project.

“Trauma manifests in many ways and can be different for different people,” Huppert said. “Not everyone has PTSD.

The task force identified six groups of children at high risk since Oct. 7: child hostages; those who witnessed severe violence and murders; newly orphaned children; children who lost a parent, sibling, or other relatives; children whose friends or peers were killed or kidnapped; and children displaced from their homes.

“There is a deep issue of betrayal in childhood trauma,” said Ben-Arieh. “In these cases, these events often happened in places that their parents said were the safest in the world. Parents could not save their children. Or they had to choose. We have new forms of trauma that we don’t understand.” He added, “We need to change the field.”

Show your solidarity with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by giving to the We Are One campaign. Learn more or donate at AFHU.org

The recent murder of six Israeli hostages, one of whom was an American with ties to our region, sent waves of grief through the Jewish world. Apparently, not long after Israeli forces rescued a hostage who was a Bedouin Muslim, the Hamas cell holding the six hostages nearby went ahead and killed them, fearing that they might be next to be rescued.

Of course, all aspects of this scenario are Hamas war crimes. But what was astounding was how these murders were covered and analyzed, even by the few media outlets that are not hostile to Israel.

We’d become accustomed to hostage rescues minimized as hostages being “released” or “found,” as if Hamas simply said “sure, they can go.” But the murder, by Hamas, of six hostages, was seen as Israel’s fault, for not caving in to

Hamas demands — er, for not being more flexible in negotiations.

Numerous pundits wondered why Netanyahu wasn’t freeing the hostages, even claiming

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ceasefire and hostage release since December. Over and over, the world insists that Israel accept a ceasefire that it has already accepted, and which Hamas continues to reject, though nobody calls them out for it.

What incentive does Hamas have to make a deal, if everyone gives them a pass? Why would they agree to a deal? Everyone is putting pressure on Israel, so all Hamas has to do is sit back and wait — and laugh as the world does the work for them. The longer Hamas waits, the more pressure is put on Israel. Brilliant strategy, and everyone is playing their designated role.

If there were truly a humanitarian disaster, a genocide, a famine — wouldn’t the idea of even an imperfect ceasefire be attractive to whoever is in charge of Gaza, to stop what was happening and to save the lives of one’s own people? But Hamas has no interest in the people of Gaza — the worse they can portray it, the better it is for them, as their goal has been to manipulate world opinion through falsehoods and hope Israel (and those who support Israel) caves from the pressure. For them, total destruction of Gaza would be considered a victory if they are still standing at the end, so they can regroup and plan the

next Oct. 7.

It’s all part of their misguided ideology that if they make life unbearable enough for Israel, the Jews will just give up and go back to “where they came from,” freeing the land for their caliphate. Because they reject the idea that Jews have any connection to the land of Israel.

We must be clear. Hamas is holding our hostages. Hamas is responsible for what has happened to Gaza, having turned its civilian infrastructure into a network for war, and having launched the devastating attack of Oct. 7. And Iran is behind all of it.

Israel does not want war, and wants this to end soon. But the days of the “mowing the lawn” half-measure in Gaza are over — without a complete defeat of Hamas, a premature ceasefire only guarantees another round of bloodshed in another year or two, and continued misery for Gazans under their tyrannical rule.

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On Sept.

in Gaza. The event was prompted by the discovery of six murdered hostages, including

A $5 million year

Federation celebrates a year of giving while reminding of the tragedy that made emergency campaign necessary

As the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans held its annual meeting on Sept. 18 at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, CEO Robert French remarked, “what a different world we live in from the last annual meeting.”

Board Chair Jonny Lake announced that during the previous year, the Federation raised over $5 million “for Israel, our local agencies, for programming, for activities… it has just been incredible.”

The number was boosted by the necessity of an Israel emergency campaign following the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, which shifted priorities worldwide as Israel sought to eliminate the terror threat from Gaza in a war that is still ongoing, and has expanded to operations in the north, where Hezbollah has fired over 8,000 rockets into northern Israel, prompting a longterm evacuation of tens of thousands of Israelis from their towns.

New Orleans raised about $2.4 million in the campaign, part of a national effort of over $800 million.

French said “October 7 ignited a flame under so many of us, and it has been heartwarming to see so many step up.”

In March, the Federation held a solidarity mission to Israel, “embraced our brothers and

sisters when they and we needed that hug, that support and empathy.”

Over the course of the year, the Federation coordinated rallies and vigils, and a group that went to the large rally last fall in Washington.

They also put up billboards “across this great city with a plea for no hate in our home” and worked with local political figures to navigate the contentious public debate over Gaza.

French spoke of the need to “stand united and firm in the face of terror.”

Anti-Israel groups, including a couple of Jewish organizations, have been very vocal and have castigated the Federation for “enabling genocide” and silencing dissenting voices. French said that while the Federation is a “big tent organization and we have a variety of opinions, we are a Zionist organization, and proudly so.”

Alan Franco, president of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, said JEF had given $50,000 from its unrestricted funds for the Israel campaign and over $32,000 for increased security costs at community institutions. They also approved engaging with Secure Communities Network for three more years, “enabling (Community Security Director) Jimmy Stewart to help us navigate the challenges of increased antisemitism.”

JEF currently has over $100 million in assets under management, and has been working on a $5 million campaign to add a $1 million endowment for each of the five community agencies, and the fundraising campaign has a match of $1 for every $2 contributed.

The Federation also continued the speaker series with historically Black universities and colleges, graduated 27 members of the Katz-Phillips Leadership Development class, and engaged over 500 through JNOLA.

French also spoke of the effort last Chanukah to build the world’s largest Lego menorah, “which seems such a long time ago.”

The Federation’s Annual Campaign, which helps fund local needs, raised $2.65 million from 1,026 households. “Our community should be very proud,” French said.

There will be a community-wide gathering to commemorate Oct. 7, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. “It is important that we are together, with our allies and friends,” French said, encouraging everyone to attend and bring non-Jewish friends as well.

The Federation’s Annual Event has been rebranded as Federation Fest, and it will take place on Dec. 11 at the Audubon Tea Room, as the Federation presents its annual awards.

Above and on the cover:

3, the Jewish organizations of New Orleans united at Bart Field behind the Uptown Jewish Community Center for a community candlelight vigil for the Israeli hostages still captive

AmericanIsraeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in a Gaza tunnel on Aug. 31.

Rocking the memories

Still rockin’ at 99, Holocaust survivor Saul Dreier brought his story, “Survival Through Song,” and his Holocaust Survivor Band to Louisiana, performing at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie on Aug. 14, and the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge on Aug. 15. The Metairie program was co-hosted by Chabad of Louisiana and Chabad Jewish Center of Metairie, while Chabad of Baton Rouge hosted on Aug. 15. The evening was a tribute to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and joy.

In Metairie, Rabbi Mendel Rivkin, Robert French, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and Sam Fradella of Metairie Bank gave opening remarks, followed by Rabbi Yossie Nemes interviewing Dreier, who shared his extraordinary story of survival and hope, beautifully interspersed with lively klezmer music.

Dreier was sent to labor camps before winding up in Auschwitz, then to Mauthausen before being sent to work at Linz in Austria. After liberation, he went to the United States in 1949, then formed the band at age 89 after being inspired by a survivor who had just died at age 108.

MSJE hosting Tulane sukkah on roof

A sukkah on the roof? Sounds crazy, no?

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is partnering with undergraduates at the Tulane School of Architecture to host the first off-campus sukkah in the 16-year history of the Tulane Sukkah Build. The student-driven project uses the skills and imagination of architecture students to come up with unique sukkahs.

This year, students are focusing on the themes of peace and life within Jewish culture, exploring the human connection with nature.

The sukkah will be open during museum hours, Oct. 17 to 21 and Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Oct. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. there will be a Sips in the Sukkah event for museum members.

For those who work in the area or just want to stop by, bring a lunch and eat in the sukkah on Oct. 17, 18 or 21 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. No museum ticket is necessary.

On Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. there will be a Sun Crafts in the Sukkah family event, making napkins with photosensitive cloth. Snacks will be provided. The program is $5, free for museum members.

Groups can also reserve the sukkah for events during the week.

Southern Jewish Simcha food stories sought

The co-authors of “Kugels and Collards: Stories of Food, Family and Tradition in Jewish South Carolina” are looking for Southern Jewish food stories throughout the region for their new work, “Southern Simchas: Food Traditions for Jewish Celebrations.”

“Kugels and Collards” was published in 2023 by Lyssa Kligman Harvey and Rachel Gordin Barnett, based on their blog that collected South Carolina Jewish family food-related stories and recipes. While touring to promote the book, they have found that many of the South Carolina stories are echoed throughout the Jewish South, so they began this project to tell those stories.

They explained that Jewish life cycle rituals always involve food, and they want to chronicle the tendency in the South to incorporate Southern aspects into Jewish practices.

They are looking for story contributors to do a 900 to 1100 word piece exploring how their family life cycle events have endured through time and evolved with the addition of new family customs. They are looking for pieces related to family brises, namings, bar/bat mitzvah, confirmations and weddings. The stories should encompass family history, traditions and foods. They encourage the inclusion of three to five family photographs and, where possible, one or two recipes or menus.

Marcie Ferris will be writing the introduction.

Those interested in submitting a story should email rgbarnettsc@gmail.com by Sept. 30. Submissions will be due on March 1. They hope to have a good representation from throughout the region, and want to be sure that smaller communities are represented.

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MARKED BY DARKNESS

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We can’t ensure this Rosh HaShanah will usher in a peaceful year. But with your support, Magen David Adom can continue to be a source of light, hope, and lifesaving care to all Israelis — no matter what 5785 brings.

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VOICES FROM OUR CONGREGANTS

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A heater is being installed at the swimming pool at the Goldring/Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie, enabling year-round swimming.

Jewish Community Day School in Metairie will have a Celebrate Sukkot event on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. on Bart Field, with a live brass band and kosher BBQ. Registration by Oct. 9 is $12 for adults, $8 for ages 2 and up.

Krewe du Jieux will have its 5785 Rosh Kippur Apology Party on Oct. 4 at 6:41 p.m.

Chabad Grads at Tulane is launching a monthly Holy Happy Hour on Shabbat evening, with services at Anshe Sfard, kiddush and cocktails. The first was held on Sept. 20.

Touro Synagogue in New Orleans is building a “Shabbat morning culture” with First Shabbat, which will usually be on the first Saturday of the month. Every week there will be a Shabbat Shiur at 9 a.m., a sacred text study led by a member of the Touro clergy. At 10 a.m. there will be Shacharit, a “kid-forward, musical, multi-denominational lay-led minyan” led by Chavurat Or’Leans. There will also be Shabbat Rocks, for children ages 0 to 4 and their grownups. A Kehilah KIDoshah for ages 5 to 12 will be at 10:35 a.m., and then there will be a communal Shabbat lunch. The next First Shabbat will be Oct. 5. The schedule moves from the first week for March 8 and April 19.

Shir Chadash in Metairie will have a Rosh Hashanah dinner on Oct. 2, with services starting at 6:15 p.m. Reservations are $18 for members, $24 for the public, $10 for ages 3 to 12.

Beth Israel in Metairie will have a second night Rosh Hashanah dinner, on Oct. 3 at 7:20 p.m. following the 7:05 p.m. service. Reservations are $25 for members, $30 non-members, $15 for ages 7 to 17.

At the 6 p.m. Shabbat service on Oct. 4 at Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, Michael Cohen, the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Professor in the American Jewish Experience at Tulane University, will share some questions and responses being discussed among Jewish historians regarding current events.

Shir Chadash in Metairie will have Hawaii in the Hut, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., with Havdalah and all you can eat Poke bowls, drinks and desserts. Reservations are $25 for members, $36 for the public.

Temple Sinai will have Shabbat B’Shir, featuring music by members of the Panorama Jazz Band, followed by dinner, on Oct. 18 at 6:15 p.m.

community

Coalition signs New Orleans Statement of Peace regarding Israel and Gaza

City Council affirms it in contentious Aug. 8 meeting

At the end of July, a coalition of leaders from a wide range of fields in the New Orleans area issued a New Orleans Statement for Peace “in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel.”

Numerous rabbis and leaders of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Anti-Defamation League were among the signers, along with the entire New Orleans city council.

The statement calls for unity and peace in New Orleans, condemning all forms of hate, mourning the loss of life on both sides, and supporting diplomatic efforts for a negotiated ceasefire and release of hostages.

Council members have been under intense pressure for months by a coalition of anti-Israel groups to call for a ceasefire. The coalition of anti-Israel groups has denounced the statement, saying they were never consulted for input.

On Aug. 8, the city council unanimously voted on “a resolution recognizing the broad coalition of local faith, community, civic and business leaders supporting the statement for peace in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza” and “lend(ing) its support” to the statement “during a time of turmoil and division,” in appreciation for “the efforts to call for unity and peace within our city.”

The day before, the Federation and ADL issued a statement where they said they were proud to have participated in the “important initiative in conjunction with the New Orleans City Council and a diverse coalition of local leaders.”

The Aug. 7 statement said “the Statement for Peace was never intended to be a comprehensive take on a highly divisive issue. Instead, it was meant to find and articulate a possible, albeit small, piece of common ground during an incredibly divided moment. This Statement, that was distributed to all voices involved in the ongoing conversation, recenters the focus on what is within City Council’s scope and hopefully indisputable – local civility and peace.”

Federation CEO Robert French said he fully supports the statement, and the Federation “is tremendously grateful to the authors of this statement, New Orleans City Council, and the diverse signatories who stand with us in promoting peace and unity within our community.”

The statement continued, “Unfortunately, some groups have attempted to derail this Statement by advocating for more aggressive (and one-sided) demands on areas of international policy over which the City Council has no control. In spite of their different backgrounds, the signatories of this Statement for Peace share a commitment to unity over division – and to not allowing conflicts and violence abroad to spill over into and define our communities at home.”

Anti-Israel groups respond

NOSHIP issued a statement by a coalition of anti-Israel groups decrying the statement, calling it “insidious in its language.” NOSHIP is New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports, a group “committed to ending economic and cultural ties between New Orleans and Israel,” and opposed to business ties between Israel and the Port of New Orleans.

The coalition’s statement calls for an “immediate, unconditional, permanent and enforceable ceasefire” in Gaza; the end of arms transfers to Israel, especially through the Port of New Orleans; an “immediate and unconditional exchange of prisoners,” citing over 3300 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; and “Israel’s immediate compliance with international humanitarian law” allowing unrestricted entry of goods into Gaza. They also demand that the city condemn “attempts to suppress freedom of speech” through the sending of a SWAT team to clear out an anti-Israel

community

encampment on May 1.

They also said the statement was done “behind our backs,” and paints protestors as violent when “the only violence” since October has been by law enforcement toward the protestors. It also refers to Israel’s actions as a “genocide,” supported by the U.S. government.

Those groups have held numerous anti-Israel protests downtown and at Tulane University over the past 11 months.

They said the statement was distributed by the “strongly Zionist” Federation and they were not invited to take part in its drafting, despite meeting with city council members for months and pressuring for a ceasefire resolution.

The coalition has clashed with the Federation in the past, with coalition member Jewish Voice for Peace accusing the Federation of racism and defending genocide. After the Federation placed billboards around the area this summer saying “No Hate in Our Home,” JVP posted a Photoshopped version in the same style, with the message of “Zionism is Racism.”

Contentious council meeting

On Aug. 8, anti-Israel groups packed the Council chamber.

In 2018, many of the same groups presented the council with a “human rights” resolution that did not specifically mention Israel or Palestine, but urged the city to have a procedure to review investments and contracts to be sure the companies align with the city’s values.

After the council passed the seemingly-innocuous resolution, those groups proclaimed to the world that New Orleans had become the first major U.S. city to pass a resolution in favor of the boycott-Israel BDS movement. That came as a surprise to the council members, who then rescinded it in a contentious meeting two weeks later.

Because of a flood of public comment cards submitted, the council added an extra 30 minutes to discussion of the Statement for Peace. Over

The Statement for Peace:

As the world witnesses the conflict in Gaza and Israel, New Orleans prays for peace.

When violence spills over into our country, with extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities, New Orleans stands firm: not here.

We, the leaders of New Orleans’ faith-based community, nonprofits, businesses, government, community groups, and civic organizations, call for unity and peace in our city. We strongly condemn all forms of hate, including antisemitic and Islamophobic behavior stemming from the conflict in Gaza and Israel.

We mourn the loss of innocent lives and grieve with our neighbors in New Orleans who have family and friends in Israel and Gaza. We unequivocally reject all actions that endanger innocent people.

We support the diplomatic efforts by the United States for a negotiated ceasefire, including the release of all hostages, and emphasize that far too many lives have been lost. Whether it is here on the streets of New Orleans or across the world, our deepest and most sacred value is to protect life and resolve our differences peacefully through democratic means. Calls for violence and conflict in New Orleans are contrary to the values of our community and our commitment to preserving lives.

We encourage all residents to show compassion and empathy during these difficult times. New Orleans is a diverse and loving city that comes together in tough times, and we are so much stronger for it. Together, we stand united in our determination to keep New Orleans peaceful and all its residents safe.

We pray for peace abroad and at home.

community

100 comment requests were made, mostly in opposition.

In introducing the resolution, Council President Helena Moreno said with the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, she appreciated how the statement “condemns these acts and all forms of hate and says not here in our city.”

“It is horrific, the number of Palestinian and Israeli lives that have been lost in this conflict, and I strongly support diplomatic efforts for an immediate ceasefire,” she said.

She noted the council has been asked to take all manner of positions on the issue, and particularly in the previous few days not to bring this up at all. But the resolution localizes it with a call against conflict and violence locally.

When she said there were many people who feared coming to the meeting to comment on the resolution, there were guffaws from the audience.

Palestinian activists said the resolution does not include their voices, saying their voices are already suppressed by the media that instead spreads propaganda and dehumanization.

They noted that they had been pushing the council to pass a “people’s resolution” calling for a ceasefire for months, packing council meetings with activists.

“We don’t have to wonder what kind of people stand by and let a genocide happen. Those people look like all of you,” said Lana Murad.

Daniel Older, a Jewish author, used air quotes when he said “peace resolution,” saying it is a slap in the face to every Palestinian. He asked every Jewish member of the Palestinian groups to stand and challenged the Federation and ADL, which he said do not speak for them, and asked where they were that morning. “They do not care about peace, they do not care about Jewish safety… and have been pro-Apartheid for years.”

Lindsay Friedmann, regional director of the ADL, was two speakers later. She was booed by the crowd, prompting a rebuke from Moreno.

“While our hearts ache for the innocent lives lost and for those who are suffering in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, we know conflict waged abroad won’t be resolved here in New Orleans,” Friedmann said. “Nothing in the statement of peace should be objectionable to anyone who cares about how we live our lives here and how we respect our neighbors and our differences.”

She spoke out against “toxic rhetoric that permeates our community” as the conflict continues.

As she spoke, pre-written signs were held behind her saying things like “actually that’s racist,” “no not you supporting genocide,” “peace is the white man’s word” and “Zionism is terrorism.” As she left the podium, several in the audience shouted “F--- the ADL.”

Aaron Bloch, Federation director of Jewish

multicultural and governmental affairs, then spoke, saying the statement “lifts up a commitment to living together in harmony, refusing to draw battle lines through a city that will only serve to tear us apart.”

In conversations over the last 10 months, it has been evident that “people on both sides of this conflict are in pain and have suffered real loss, including Palestinians, Israelis and Jewish members” and that “a minimum degree of civility is never too much to ask for in these conversations.”

Sara Lewis, chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council and advocacy vice president for the local National Council of Jewish Women, also spoke in favor of the resolution. Jewish Voice for Peace crowed that when the Federation’s weekly email went out with a photo of Lewis speaking, in the background was coalition members holding dozens of photos of Gaza children who have been killed in the war.

Other speakers accused Israel of genocide, using figures as high as 138,000 deaths in Gaza. The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, claims 40,000 deaths, not distinguishing between combatants and civilians. Israel says roughly 17,000 fighters have been killed, and that Hamas lists combatants who are 16 or 17 years old as “children.”

Sebastian Brumfeld Mejia compared quotes from the resolution to quotes from the eight white clergy in Birmingham in 1963 that prompted Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” He said both “misrepresent civil disobedience as violence… the only violence comes from law enforcement.”

Rev. Gregory Manning taped signs saying Tikun Olam and referencing Jeremiah 8:11 to the plexiglass when he spoke, quoting Jeremiah’s admonition that people say peace when there is no peace, and he asked how there could be a resolution without the word “Palestinian.” He added that the resolution “has been designed and only puts forward the voice of Jew-

Lindsay Friedmann, regional director of the ADL, addresses the council

ish people who were surreptitiously and in secret putting this together.”

He charged the council members with lying when they have told ceasefire activists that they don’t weigh in on international issues. “That is a lie!” he bellowed, pounding the podium. He said they spoke up for South Africa and Ukraine, but won’t speak up now “because these are brown people like me.”

After his time expired, he said “Tikun Olam. You know what that means, Jewish people.”

Wearing a keffiyah and a shirt that said “New Orleans Demands Ceasefire Now,” Cypress Atlas, “a proud member of the New Orleans Jewish community,” said “I was not paid to be here, but the Jewish Federation is.” Atlas said those who were involved in the resolution will be remembered “not only as supporters of ethnic cleansing but active participants in ethnic cleansing, the erasure of an ethnicity.”

After an hour of public comment, there were no comments from the council members, and as they voted, 6-0 in favor of the Statement for Peace, insults were shouted from the gallery. The council adjourned for a short recess, while the activists remained and did group chants, including “City council you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”

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One year later

Communities make plans to mark first anniversary of Oct. 7

Around the region, there will be commemorations marking the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas and other groups from Gaza.

Early on the morning of Simchat Torah, Hamas launched the infiltration from Gaza, murdering 1,185 Israelis and taking 251 hostages back into Gaza.

The war to eliminate the threat from Hamas has continued since then, and at press time, Israel was responding in force to months of Hezbollah rocket attacks from Lebanon.

In New Orleans, over 20 local Jewish organizations are partnering for “Commemorating October 7th: An Evening of Remembrance, Resilience and HOPE,” Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Featured speakers will include Yoni Diller, an Israeli survivor of the Nova Music Festival terror attack, and a representative of the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States.

“This event is for the entire community –not just those who are Jewish,” said Federation Chief Executive Officer Robert French.

“It is inconceivable to American Jews that so many hostages remain in Hamas hands, the ceasefire negotiations have failed, and the security of Israel remains so volatile,” said French. “Even in the New Orleans area, we have watched in horror as our city has been marked by hateful anti-Semitic symbols, unrest on university campuses, and threats to the physical safety for Jewish students and residents. We see New Orleans’ peaceful commemoration of the October 7 attack as a moment of remembrance, reflection and resilience.”

The event will include musical presentations by students from Slater Torah Academy and Jewish Community Day School, and local talent, as multicultural allies, elected officials, and interfaith and community leaders join attendees in reflections on resilience and hope.

The event also features two exhibits, one by local artist Billie Little, and “Humans of October 7th” by Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz. The images presented pay tribute to the unexpected heroes of October 7th and tell the story of the Jewish people overcoming adversity, fighting back against impossible odds, and emerging stronger on the other side. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

Around the region

The Birmingham commemoration will be on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Levite Jewish Community Center.

In addition to the program, there will be an exhibit of “Resilience in the Rubble: Portraits of

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Strength After Destruction.” The exhibit captures the horrific attacks of Oct. 7 followed by the inspiring journey of healing, hope and recovery. The images paint a stark contrast; raw devastation and horror set against the strength and resilience of the Israeli people.

In Huntsville, the community commemoration will be at First Baptist Church’s Life Center on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. As part of the commemoration, there will be a display of “October Seventh,” an exhibit from ANU — Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. The exhibit, which reflects creative expressions of what Israeli society has faced since Oct. 7, will be available for viewing all day, starting at 10 a.m.

Mobile will gather as a community at Springhill Avenue Temple on Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Montgomery’s Oct. 7 commemoration will be at Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem at 6 p.m.

The University of Alabama Hillel will have a Yellow Ribbon Run and Walk for Remembrance, Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m., starting at Denny Chimes.

In Fort Walton Beach, the Shabbat Shuvah service at Beth Shalom on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. will be in remembrance of Oct. 7.

The Central Louisiana United Jewish Communities will have an event on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Diamond Grill in Alexandria. Hananya Naftali will speak on “The Day After October 7 — One Year Later.” A leading figure defending Israel on social media, Naftali served in the Gaza war of 2014, and treated wounded Syrian civilians as a combat medic during the Syrian civil war. The event is open to the public. Admission is a minimum donation of $30 per person and includes dinner. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

On Oct. 7 at 5 p.m., Touro Synagogue in New Orleans will have a study session with poetry and song, followed by a 6 p.m. memorial service in the sanctuary.

The North Louisiana Jewish Federation and community partners will hold a commemoration on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at Centenary College in Shreveport. Elliot Malamet will lead “October 7: A Year and a Lifetime Later.”

Malamet is a Jewish educator who moved to Jerusalem after teaching at Canadian universities for 20 years. He teaches Jewish ethics and philosophy at various Israeli institutions.

The event will include a photo exhibit, along with stories, songs and prayers to commemorate the lives lost, honor heroes and pray for the hostages. The event is free but registration is required by Oct. 4.

Beth Israel in Jackson will hold a community remembrance on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Holocaust memorial, indoors in case of rain.

Israel Bonds worldwide event

Israel Bonds and ILTV News are co-hosting an Oct. 7 commemoration online, honoring the strength of the Israeli people and mourning those who were lost. The event is free and open to all. President Isaac Herzog will be among the speakers.

The family of Sgt. Tomer Ahimas will talk about his sacrifice as he fought Hamas on Oct. 7 at Kibbutz Nirim. His body was taken captive by Hamas and later recovered from Gaza by the IDF.

Major Gen. (Ret.) Eyal Zamir, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, will give insight about what Israeli soldiers have faced in the past year in fighting Hamas. He served in the IDF for 38 years and was deputy chief of staff from 2018 to 2021.

The virtual event will be at 11 a.m. Central. Registration for the Zoom link is available at israelbonds.com.

Christian support

On Oct. 7, American Christian Leaders for Israel, Generation Zion and The Philos Project will have a commemoration on the National Mall in Washington. According to the organizations, the event “presents an opportunity for the American Christian community to show Israel and the Jewish people that they are not alone in their grief or their fight for survival.”

Large gift boosts record for JCRS college aid

When the Jewish Children’s Regional Service college scholarship committee finished its deliberations for the 2024-25 academic year in July, it had allocated a record of over $409,000 in need-based scholarships to 115 students in the agency’s seven-state region, a large increase from the previous year.

Thanks to a gift from Houston’s Robert Zinn and his late wife Edith, each of those awards will increase by 25 percent, bringing the total amount of scholarships to over $500,000.

The awards, which consist of grants and no-interest loans, average over $4,300 per academic year.

Zinn stated, “I hope my support spurs others to donate to JCRS given the huge impact JCRS has within our Jewish communities.”

According to the agency, the Zinns have been donors for decades, sharing JCRS’ vision “to provide superior levels of needs-based support, resources and services for Jewish youths and families to promote their welfare, education, and self-identity, thereby helping to prepare them to be well-adjusted, self-supporting, young adults.”

The New Orleans-based agency serves Jewish youth in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. In addition to college aid, the agency provided summer camp scholarships to 465 youth, totaling over $280,000, and provides financial assistance and case management to 51 Jewish children with special needs.

“Our two-fold goal for this academic year is to fund more Jewish students who need financial assistance with even larger awards. We are proud to fill this important role within our Jewish communities,” said JCRS Executive Director Mark Rubin. “We could not do what we do with-

out the support of our generous donors like Bob Zinn.”

Since 1946, JCRS has provided college or vocational training scholarships based on financial need. Many of the Jewish college students who receive aid from JCRS are from low-income families, but middle-class families are encouraged to apply. More than half of JCRS’s college scholarships are awarded to families whose household income is between $50,000 and $150,000.

Stephen Davis, CPA, is a technical accounting manager for LivaNova, a global medical technology company in Houston. A 2015 Trinity University graduate in business administration, Stephen also holds a master’s of science degree in accounting from the University of Houston, with certificates in oil and gas accounting and assurance/financial reporting. Stephen received college financial aid from JCRS when he studied at Trinity University and later, at the University of Houston.

Carville: Republicans support “whiter” Israelis over Palestinians of color

Long-time Democratic political strategist James Carville of Louisiana thinks he has figured out why Republicans are so supportive of Israel — simple white racism.

Carville, the “Ragin’ Cajun” who became prominent as chief strategist for Bill Clinton during the 1992 presidential campaign, offered his assessment on the Aug. 15 episode of the “Politics War Room” podcast.

He told co-host Al Hunt that “the reason I suspect that most of these people describe themselves as pro-Israel is because the Jews are whiter than the Palestinians, which drives a lot of what I think they are.”

He added that “it’s really about the misogyny and the racism that drives the thing, and we got to recognize that. It’s not about any policy prescription.”

Carville was responding to a question of how a party that “openly embraced” the far-right and neo-Nazis could portray itself as the pro-Israel party.

Moshe Phillips, national chairman of Americans for a Safe Israel, responded that “the majority of Israelis are not white; they’re of Jewish Middle Eastern or Jewish African heritage, meaning that they are just as much ‘people of color’ as Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

“It’s disturbing that a political strategist who is so ignorant about Israeli demography would nonetheless offer policy analysis about the subject. We urge James Carville to publicly acknowledge his egregious error.”

Republican support of Israel is largely credited to the prevalence of

evangelical Christian voters, who feel there is a Biblical mandate to bless Israel and the Jewish people, and who cite shared values of freedom and democracy, along with national security, for their support.

As the Democratic National Convention gets underway, Carville said the Republicans did not face the same level of anti-Israel protests that are anticipated in Chicago because, according to what an activist told him, they felt they would not be able to influence the Republicans, but the Democrats “would be more open-minded about this.”

He expressed frustration at that view, saying it is “dumb— political s—” that will “hurt the person that actually has the best chance of resolving this issue in a satisfactory way because you can’t influence the other person.”

Before the primary in Michigan, where the administration made explicit outreach to the large Muslim community, Carville criticized the protest vote for “uncommitted” in the primary because of continued U.S. support for Israel under Biden.

About 100,000 uncommitted votes were cast on Feb. 27, about 13 percent. In recent presidential primaries, about 20,000 Democrats had voted uncommitted. In 2008, almost 240,000 voted uncommitted after the state moved its primary earlier in defiance of the national party’s rules.

Carville had already created controversy with comments around Israel in March when he said that it would be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fault if Biden, who was then running for re-election, lost in November.

Citing a conspiratorial theory that Netanyahu is prolonging the war against Hamas to put off reckoning in personal legal battles he faces, he said the Democrats are “gonna have to tell Bibi Netanyahu, ‘Hey dude, we’re not gonna lose our election because you’re scared to go to jail’.”

2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4 2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4 R E P O R T R E P O R T A N N U A L A N N U A L

CROWN $36,000+

Cahn Family Foundation

The Franco Family

Susan & Howard Green

Lis & Hugo Kahn

Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust

YAD $10,000-$35,999

SAC Foundation, Richard M Cahn

Lassen Family Foundation

Dashka Roth Lehmann & Larry Lehmann

Tracy & George Loss

Tracey Fodor Smith (z”l) & Henry Smith

Lynne & Michael Wasserman

MENORAH $5,400-$9,999

Cathy & Morris Bart

Linda & Richard Friedman

Lisa & Brian Katz

Anna M Mantell

Carole & Richard Neff

Carol & Dale Newman

Lynn & Arthur Penn

RIMON $3,600-$5,399

Karen Galland & Roger Cohen

Jack Gross

Susan & William Hess

Heymann-Wolf Foundation

Ilana & Robert Horwitz

Laura & David Kulick

Nita-Joan Sams

Debbie & Jonathan Schlackman

Ashley & Michael Zabalaoui

PAROCHET $1,800-$3,599

Anonymous

Rabbi Anne Brener

Lara Crigger & George Brown

Sarah & Sandy Cohen

Keren Gesund

Edward Soll

Leslie & Sanford Krilov

Josefina Mendez-Rosa & Troy Perez

Marjory Greenberg Palkama

Laura & Stephen Philipson

Sarah Pusateri & Michael Robinson

PAROCHET $1,800-$3,599 cont.

Madilyn Samuels

Sessions, Fishman, & Nathan LLC

Laurie & Paul Sterbcow

MEZUZAH $1,080-$1,799

Abby Gaunt & Gabe Feldman

Cathy & Charles Glaser

Kim & Reggie Glass

Marge & Dov Glazer

Ann & Steven Harris

Deborah & Wayne Magee

Jan & Henry Miller

Melinda & Morris Mintz

Karen Weissbecker Remer

Anna Cohen Rosenblum & Rabbi Michael Cohen

Kathryn & Jeffrey Singer

Debra & Robert Staples

STAR $540-$1,079

Angela & Marc Beerman

Alexis Cates & David Staples

Tiffany Cotlar & Tommy Furlow

Ina & Richard Davis

Ana & Juan Gershanik

Stephanie Green & Zeke Vanderhoek

Maury Herman

Kit & Timothy Hollis

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Barbara & Mark Kaplinsky

Carole & Morton Katz

Ellen & Stanley Kessler

Ashley & Michael Kirschman

Andrea & Terrence Lestelle

Janis Gissel Letourneau

Robin Levy & Bobby Garon

Avery Loss & Ben Greenberg

Rebecca & Adam Miller

Sanford Pailet

Steven Pearl

Killian & Brad Philipson

Ann & Larry Rabin

Ginger Rogers & Alvin Cotlar

Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation

Pamela & Rob Steeg

Sherri & Matthew Tarr

STAR cont. $540-$1,079

Van Der Linden Foundation

Eileen Wallen

Marcia & Ken Weiss

Lorenza & Maxwell Zwain

CHAVERIM $360-$539

Diane Katz Africk

Michele Allen-Hart

Marc Behar

Mery Beit-Halahmi & Stephen Blitz

Elissa & Edward Bluth

Marie & James Cahn

Gail & Stuart Chalew

Michael Davidson

Terrence Dugas & Carl DeAbate

Emily & Evan Dvorin

Susan & Arnie Fielkow

Lisa & Elliot Finkelstein

Robert French

Judy & David Fried

Amy Gainsburgh & John L Haspel

Celia Katz

Nicole Katz & Chris Wootten

Stephen Katz

Carole & David Kushner

Jonathan Lake

Anne Teague Landis & Cuyler Boad

Bina & Harold Lefkowitz

Janis Lehtinen & David Bruce

Renee Levine & Michael Brown

Judy & Glenn Lieberman

Nathan Family Foundation

Doris & William Norman

Paige & Joseph Pailet

Marie & Paul Pechon

Debbie & Leon Pesses

Carole & Lyle Philipson

Gale & Randy Pick

Sharon Pollin

Janis Rabin

Heather & Leon Rittenberg

Lisa & DJ Romano

Ronald Rothschild

Madalyn & Robert Schenk

Reda & Charles Scher

Mimi & Claude Schlesinger

Karen & Leopold Sher

Darby Shields

CHAVERIM $360-$539 cont.

Judy Silberner & Haim Erder

Betty & Gregory Speyrer

Karen Glaser Stein

Patty & Randy Ungar

Roselle & Stanley Ungar

Miriam & Bruce Waltzer

Ashley Weiss & Brandon Nelson

Ginny Wise Wilkins & Kevin Wilkins

Alice Yelen & Kurt Gitter

YEDIDIM $180-$359

Rochelle Adler Effron & Mark Effron

Nancy & Danny Arana

Jessica Bach & Matt Farah

Barri Marsh Bronston

Sue Rae Brown & Ken Bishop

Klara B. Cvitanovich

Efrat & Noa David Ella

Mara & Joshua Force

Lauren & Rabbi David Gerber

N’Ann & Jan Glade

Louise Glickman

Sandra Chass Goldsmith

Caroline & Jeffrey Good

Marsha Halteman

Robert Hammer

Prentice Jones

Vicki & Jacob Karno

Benjamin Karp

Stella Baty Landis

Renee & Charles Levy III

Lynn & Rabbi Bob Loewy

Chelsea & Chandler Nutik

Julie Wise Oreck

Paige Royer

Stephen Sontheimer

Jackie & Chuck Stern

Janice Stern

Tifferney White

Vera White

Rachel Zoller & Jacob Lipsman

REYIM up to $179

Scott Aertker

Paula & Cornelius Apffel

Bonnie & Jay Aronson

Daniela & Bradley Bain

Jaymi & Mark Baum

REYIM up to $179 cont.

Chelsea & Nolan Beaver

Radhakrishnamurthy Bhandaru

Lee & Joe Blotner

Ronna Burger & Robert Berman

Jennifer Buuck

Ann Cates

Ellen Cohen

Lisa & Robert Conescu

Alexa & Robert Craig

Amanda Glinky & Aaron Croy

Jacqueline Dallimore

Lauren & Matthew Davis

Serena Deutch

Fran & Benjamin Dinehart

Melanie & Kenneth Ehrlich

Michal Erder & Isaac Yurco

Rabbi Alexis Erdheim & Charlie Cox

Sigal Eyni

Jolayne & John Faherty

Anna Fesmire

Laurie & Ike Fesmire

Sylvia & Israel Finger

Julie Finkelstein & Allesandro Steinhaus

Kristen & Gavriel Fleischman

Catina & Daniel Forman

Kathryn Frankola

Elaine & Shaun Gallagher

Lauren & JP Gisclair

Wendy Goldberg

Greenberg Law Firm

Lisa & Michael Herman

Gayle Carp Hill

Hemda & Jeffrey Hochman

Teri & Jonathan Hunter

Maricris Izahola

Janna Jackson

Philip Jones

Teri Kahn

Carrie & Nathan Kanter

Abra & Rabbi Phil Kaplan

Eliza & Jaryd Kase

Marilyn & Joseph Kline

Rise P. Kulick

Marilyn & Paul Kullman

Gary Lazarus

Amanda & Michael Loflin

Ann Lupo

Deborah Marsh

REYIM up to $179 cont.

Genesis Mata

Ondina & Robert Mendoza

Jamie Miller

Betty B Moore

Tammy Nguyen & Garrett Moore

Joel Nitzkin

Elena & Ethan Penn

Lisa Pulitzer & Gary Zoller

Moriah Richie & Jay Taffet

Janie & Billy Rippner

Staci Rosenberg

Rochelle Sackett

Hila & Daniel Savoie

Jennifer & Neil Schneider

Rabbi Daniel Sherman

Katelyn & John Sileo

Temple Sinai

Jessica & Steve Sintes

Federico Steinhaus

Carol Stone

Ellie Streiffer & Ben Horwitz

Mark Sulkes

J’annine Sullivan

Jonnie & Ford Sutter

Sheryl & Peter Title

Heidi Vizelberg

Margaret Winston

Lisa & David Wurtzel

Liz Yager

GIFTS

Serena Deutch

Ninoshka Friedman

Susan & Howard Green

Ben Greenberg

Camille Greenberg

Avery Hart & Harry Hart

John Hereford

Lynne Kullman

Tracy & George Loss

Cathy Mouney

Leslie Rau

Jamin Rothschild

Kathryn & John Singer

Patty Ungar

Abby Wetsman

OTHER GIVING

(GRANTS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND RESTRICTED REVENUE)

Security Grant

Franco Family Fund

Monthly Core Allocations

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Restricted Gifts for Security

Cathy & Morris Bart

Alexis Cates & David Staples

The Sarah and Sandy Cohen Family Fund

Dov & Margie Glazer

Gulf Coast Housing Partnership

Laura & David Kulick

Jewish Endowment Foundation

Josefina Mendez-Rosa & Troy Perez

Adam & Rebecca Miller

Carole & Richard Neff

Carol & Dale Newman

Jonathan & Debbie Schlackman

Sherri & Dr. Matt Tarr

Wilson School Reunion Dinner | Bonnie Levine

Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Annual Distributions

Jewish Day School Scholarship Designated Fund

Esther Sinauer Scholarship Fund for Jewish Education

Neil and Albert Hyman Scholarship Designated Fund

Maurice and Harriet Handelman Donor Advised Fund

Restricted/Unrestricted Grants & Restricted Revenue

Jewish Endowment Foundation Block Grant

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Vivian and Richard Cahn Joint Program Partnership with JCDS & Slater Torah Academy

Ferber Family of Houma Foundation

Louisiana Department of Education Prizmah

Endowment Distributions

Zucker Jewish Community Day School Custodial Fund

Howard and Susan Green Jewish Community Day School

Permanent Charitable Fund

Photo by Sophia Germer | The Times-Picayune

294

DONORS

(19% were new donors)

$277,954

$1853

$27,746

BOARD GIFTS (up 17% over last year)

AVERAGE GIFT SIZE (up 51% over last year)

$433,000

Raised during GIVENOLA

#39 out of a total of 1,025 organizations participating in GiveNOLA

#3 out of 32 Jefferson Parish organizations categorized under education In this category, we also ranked #2 for unique donors (123)

#10 out of 229 organizations in all parishes categorized under education

THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER, a Jazz Brunch honoring Vivian and Richard Cahn.

The following categories played a significant role in JCDS achieving its highest revenue total in our organization's history, as is appropriate for our record growth.

Annual Campaign Efforts | Individual donors (spreading from our own community across the country) support the Day School and its mission throughout the year, including the Annual Event, GiveNOLA, and general donations.

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans | Support includes monthly allocations and targeted grant funding Endowment | Distributions from the Charles Zucker Fund and the Susan and Howard Green Fund support school operations and scholarship funds for those who otherwise would not be able to attend JCDS Designated Funds | JCDS receives annual draws from several funds administered by the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana.

Grants | Jewish Community Day School receives grant monies from several sources Tuition | Our share of revenue coming from tuition continues to grow, which is a sign of fiscal health Board Contributions | Especially significant is the way in which our board members continue to increase their contributions.

Photo by Sophia Germer |

During the most difficult of times, much of what gives us hope and propels us forward is the unity of the Jewish community. We are lucky enough in New Orleans to have strong leaders who reach across organizations and draw disparate groups together, and few such leaders are as ubiquitous as Vivian and Richard Cahn. We are very appreciative that Richard and Vivan allowed us to honor them at this year’s Jazz Brunch supporting the JCDS Annual Campaign on April 7

Whenever Jews celebrate in New Orleans, the Cahns are there. When Jews face challenges and draw together for strength, the Cahns are there. They are friends to so many of us, and their support for Jewish Community Day School has been enriching our students’ experience for many years. Not only do they support the school, but they push us to venture out and connect with the broader Jewish community Given the opportunity to honor Richard and Vivian’s commitment, support came from all corners of the community as we gathered for an uplifting brunch at the Higgins Hotel of the National World War II Museum. We are incredibly grateful for the difference Vivian and Richard have made in the lives of our students, as well as the difference they will continue to make in the future.

The Cahns have made possible many collaborative programs between JCDS and Slater Torah Academy, and Children’s Choice Week is a major highlight of the school year During this magical week, both campuses are offered a kaleidoscope of experiences on myriad topics taught by visiting instructors who are experts in their field Students shape clay pots in Ceramics, explore the magic of chemistry in Mad Science, perfect their cartwheels in Gymnastics, and so much more! The week culminates with a celebratory lunch uniting the two schools. We are deeply grateful to Vivian and Richard Cahn for funding these week-long enrichment courses in our community.

DR. BRAD PHILIPSON

Oscar J Tolmas Head of School

The purpose of this annual letter is to celebrate our accomplishments. Reflections upon this school year, inclusive of its many joys and achievement, nevertheless dwell in the shadow of the tragic events of October 7th, the subsequent war, and our continued hope for the return of hostages In these difficult times, the role of Jewish day schools in perpetuating Jewish continuity is more important than ever.

Transgenerational or intergenerational trauma refers to the effects of a traumatic event

occurring before one’s birth. The importance, we, as Jews, place on Jewish continuity is, at least in part, perpetuated by the stories of the Shoah, of pogroms that took place before we were born, and of thousands of years of existential threats to the Jewish people Because so many have told us we don’t have a right to exist, the continuity of our culture, beliefs, and observances takes on urgency It is something that could so easily be lost were we to take it for granted.

Not all feel that urgency. In the eyes of many, the term Jew refers to someone's religious beliefs rather than their peoplehood The events giving rise to our intergenerational trauma, however, present evidence to the contrary Jewishness isn’t merely something we believe; it is who we are The victims of October 7th weren’t killed, brutalized, and taken hostage for their beliefs They were targeted for being Jews In a matter of hours, our transgenerational trauma was a mere foundation upon which a fresh trauma was built, one that will yet haunt even those who had not been born on October 7, 2023.

There was and continues to be so much darkness surrounding those terrorist attacks and the subsequent war The lines between humanitarianism and anti-semitism have been inexplicably blurred Never in my career would I have expected to have to make decisions about field trips that take into account the likelihood of encountering antisemitic rhetoric.

Jewish day school education is at the center of that continuity, teaching Jewish children and the children of families choosing to stand with us about what it means to be Jewish, about the joys and the meaningfulness of daily Jewish existence.

And yet we persevere. Rather than shrink from our Jewishness, we celebrate it We double down on our commitment to Jewish continuity, because that is what the survival of our peoplehood requires We come together to mourn the lives lost and pray for the safe return of those who are still hostages. For those of us born after the Shoah, our response to the threats against Jewish continuity are more important than they have ever been before Jewish day school education is at the center of that continuity, teaching Jewish children and the children of families choosing to stand with us about what it means to be Jewish, about the joys and the meaningfulness of daily Jewish existence. We teach them to think critically about the world and about Jewishness because that, too, is part of who we are as Jews

Your support of our school has never been more meaningful or more impactful. Thank you for commitment to Jewish continuity and for your shared belief in the bright light that our students emanate out during very dark times

SUSAN GREEN

Board Chair

As I write my last contribution to the JCDS Annual Report, I am given pause to reflect on what it has meant to me and the impact on my life and our community. Now, more than ever, JCDS and day schools across the world are essential not only to Jewish continuity, but to affirming what our Jewish identity means We are not merely a people of shared beliefs, but a people of shared history, a history rich with accomplishments, customs, and celebrations. Judaism is not something we do, but who we are, and the sanctity of that legacy can be too easily lost in a turbulent world Our school, led by Dr Brad Philipson and an impressive team of teachers, staff, and parents, prepares our students for a life of meaning and purpose, but it also cultivates future Jewish leaders. JCDS instills in our students a sense of global citizenship, encouraging them to be informed, compassionate, and stewards of Israel and the world. They carry with them the joyful duty of Jewish continuity, and in so doing, they are better prepared to navigate the world writ large By supporting JCDS, we become part of something much bigger than we could ever dream of: a strong, vibrant community day school from which will emanate a new generation of achievement Support our school and be rewarded with a lifetime of nachas.

T O L M A S S C H O L A R S P R O G R A M

A special thank you this summer goes to the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, whose recent gift will sponsor six need-based tuition assistance packages to JCDS students in 2024-2025, establishing a cohort of Tolmas Scholars here at JCDS. This program is the product of the thoughtfulness of the leaders of the Trust, Vincent Giardina and Lisa Romano, who, after listening thoughtfully to the needs of the School and the importance of financial sustainability, honed in on the most impactful way to support the JCDS mission We are very lucky to be the beneficiaries of the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust’s generosity and the insight of its Trustees.

D R . B R A D P H I L I P S O N

R A B B I M I C H A E L C O H E N

T I F F A N Y C O T L A R

T A Y L O R C O O K E

J E S S I E D O W S A K U L

L A U R E N G E R B E R

L A U R E N G I S C L A I R

J A N N A J A C K S O N

A V E R Y L O S S

S A R A M O U J I R

S A B R I N A R

A

Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School School Rabbi

Director of Advancement

Green Preschool Assistant Administrator

Director of Admissions

Interim Director of Admissions

Music Teacher/Administrative Support

Director of Business & Operations

Green Preschool Director

Rimonim Teacher

Perachim Teacher

Devorim Teacher

Perachim Teacher

Devorim Teacher

Nitzanim Teacher

Rimonim Teacher

L I Z A M O S S

3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

P A U L A A P F F E L

M A L I A B A T I S T E

B R I T T A

1st & 2nd Grade Teacher

Science Teacher

PK/K Assistant Teacher

Torah Study

J O L A Y N E F A H E R T Y

J U D Y F R I E D

Librarian

Kindergarten Teacher

H E M D A H O C H M A N

P J J O N E S

E L I Z A K A S E

Hebrew & Jewish Studies Teacher

Physical Education Teacher

5th & 6th Grade Teacher

R A B B I D A V I D P O S T E R N O C K

L A U R A Q U E Y R O U Z E

D E B B I E S C H L A C K M A N

H O U S T O N S M I T H

G O N I S O N D A K

Torah Study

Prekindergarten Teacher

Librarian Emeritus

3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Art, Hebrew, & Jewish Studies Teacher

M A R G A R E T W I N S T O N

School Counselor

T A N Y A T R A N C H I N A

Nitzanim Teacher

Photo

M E E T O U R T E A M

E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E T R U S T E E S

S U S A N G R E E N

L I S A K A T Z

Board Chair

Secretary

A D A M M I L L E R

C A R O L E N E F F

G A B E F E L D M A N

Treasurer

Immediate Past President

M I C H A E L W A S S E R M A N

M A X Z W A I N

D R B R A D P H I L I P S O N

Oscar J. Tolmas Head of School (ex officio)

P A S T P R E S I D E N T S

G E O R G E F U H R M A N

E D W A R D G O T H A R D , Z " L

H U G O K A H N

L I S K A H N

M A R I L Y N K U L L M A N

D A S H K A R O T H L E H M A N N

R A B B I B O B L O E W Y

C A R O L E N E F F

K A R E N R E M E R

C H A R L E S S T E R N

M I C H A E L W A S S E R M A N

M I C H E L E A L L E N - H A R T

A N G E L A B E E R M A N

B A R R I B R O N S T O N

L A R A C R I G G E R

L A U R A F U H R M A N

L A U R E N G E R B E R

H O W A R D G R E E N

A N N H A R R I S

W I L L I A M H E S S

H U G O K A H N

L I S K A H N

B E N K A R P

A N D R E A L E S T E L L E

C A R O L N E W M A N

W I L L I A M N O R M A N

K A R E N W R E M E R

D A S H K A R O T H L E H M A N N

M A D I L Y N S A M U E L S

L A U R I E S T E R B C O W

T H E S H I N I N G S T A R O F J C D S

When JCDS opened its doors as New Orleans Jewish Day School in 1996, an immediate shining star on the faculty was a young woman from Texas named Judy Fried. While she took a few years off when her two children were young, Judy has been with us ever since She sent her children to the school, and she and her husband David have been constants at every fundraiser we’ve held. To watch her teach is to watch a master artist at work, her warm demeanor belying a calculating purposefulness in every action and word. Children learn numeracy, patterns, and phonics joyfully, with play and encouragement integrated into every activity She is a supportive colleague and a tireless worker We will greatly miss Judy in her retirement, but we are incredibly grateful for her lifetime of dedication and service to JCDS and her heart of gold.

A Heart of Gold plaque campaign honoring our beloved Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Judy Fried raised well over our $5,000 goal Over sixty families will be included on our permanent plaque which will be hung in the school this fall

S I M C H A S

We are shepping nachas for our JCDS alums!

Josh and Anne Stein and daughter Georgia welcomed Anderson in December 2023

Jordan Miller and Benjamin Smith are engaged to be married in October 2024

Ashley (Sterbcow) Gulick and Jonathan Gulick welcomed son Brooks in June 2024

Nick and Taylor May welcomed son Theo in September 2023

Ezra Remer and Maeve Holler are engaged with plans to marry after Ezra completes graduate school!

Adam Goldberg and Rachel Hirschhorn are engaged to be married in May 2025

Mica (Loewy) & Jasjit Singh, and daughter Eden welcomed Noa in May 2024

Eli Sterbcow and Dr Aryn Jackson Sterbcow were Married in January 27, 2024

H O U S T O N S C I E N C E T R I P

In May, JCDS fifth and sixth grade traveled to the Houston Space Center in culmination of their studies of the Solar System. Upon arrival on Wednesday, they joined students at Houston’s Beth Yeshurun Day School (BYDS) to play games, have popsicles, and tour the school. After a kosher dinner, bowling, and a night at the hotel, they returned to Beth Yshurun for a Tefilah service in the chapel of the world’s largest Conservative synagogue before heading to NASA and the Houston Space Center

They started with a tram tour of Rocket Park, which holds the Saturn V from the Apollo program, followed by a private tour of the Spaceship Gallery, where they viewed and learned about both authentic and replicated spacecrafts. Students then participated in a classroom STEM activity, where they built and launched their own rockets.

The JCDS group ended the visit with a short film that featured first-hand accounts of astronauts. They talked about how incredible it is to see earth from space, all the vivid colors, and the views. They also touched on the idea that, from space, there are no borders. Instead of countries fighting and political divisiveness and hostility, there's just one community: humankind. Lastly, the astronauts discussed how fragile earth seems from afar. It's our home, and we need to take care of it.

While a weather event cut off evening plans and a planned visit to the Judaica museum at Beth Yeshurun the next morning, the trip was more than worthwhile The students learned a great deal not only from the museum, but about their own independence and their ability to connect with Jewish kids just like them It was a resounding success thanks to funding from the Jewish Endowment Foundation (JEF)

E X P A N D E D

S C I E N C E P R O G R A M

As JCDS continues to grow and evolve, an important step forward this year was creating a dedicated full-time science teaching position, as well as adopting a formal (as opposed to selfcreated) science curriculum With the help of funding from the Jewish Endowment Foundation, this year we implemented PhD Science in grades PK through fifth and Amplify Science in sixth grade. Both are classified as Tier I science curricula by the Louisiana Department of Education. To provide the needed lab materials, we partnered with the STEM Library, who made weekly delivery of whatever materials we needed for the accompanying handson learning. The full-time science teaching role was fulfilled by Malia Batiste, who has earned degrees from Xavier University and Touro University Malia previously taught at Harlem Children’s Village while earning her Masters Thank you JEF, for your support of this expanded program!

C A L E N D A R H I G H L I G H T S

JCDS PK-6 visisted the home of Hugo and Lis Kahn for the Tashlich ceremony Traditionally, people throw bread or rocks into a natural body of water as a symbol of throwing away our sins of the past year, but JCDS students use dissolvable paper as a more wildlife friendly alternative

JCDS students channeled all their love for Israel into colorful and unique works of art! The final product of "Art from the Heart," an Israel solidarity program sponsored by the Parents Association, was revealed at the Chanukah Extravaganza and then installed permanently in the school cafeteria

JCDS families braved the chilly temperatures to attend the third annual Celebration of the Trees at Longue Vue Gardens Participants measured tree growth, planted a camellia bush, explored the Discovery Garden to complete a scavenger hunt, planted parsley, created flower crowns, and more!

Alan Newman, AI Software Extraordinaire and JCDS Dad, captivated Ms Liz's third and fourth graders with a discussion about the rapid advancements made in the field of artificial intelligence over the past decade This topic sparked further discussion of advantages and even some risks associated with AI

Students visited the Museum of Southern Jewish Experience for a private tour of the museum's core exhibitions as well as an on-site classroom activity exploring the museum's current exhibit on the Rosenwald Schools. After their visit, fifth and sixth graders wrote letters to Congressperson Troy Carter detailing why they support the campaign to create a Rosenwald Schools National Park.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day, members of the JCDS community met at City Park's Magnolia Playground. Everyone joined in to pick up trash in the park, helping to make the world a little better for those with whom we share it

Marlene Trestman, author of Most Fortunate Unfortunates: The Jewish Orphans’ Home of New Orleans (LSU Press) spoke to students about the history of the Jewish Children's Home and its legacy in New Orleans After the program, Marlene joined students in the cafeteria, where Army Lt Col Carol Berman led the students through a "Missing Soldier Table" ceremony in honor of Veterans Day.

JCDS students were so proud to see IDF soldiers holding their drawings and notes of support sent all the way from Metairie, LA Items like these remind the brave soldiers what they are fighting for Am Y'Israel Chai!

Structural Engineer NASA Ninoshka Friedman led an engaging educational program about this year’s solar eclipse The program was covered by Fox 8, WDSU (NBC), and WGNO (ABC)!

In February, Israeli Educator Elhanan Brown visited JCDS to speak to students about the war in Israel and about achdut (unity) Elhanan shared examples of ways in which Israelis are uniting and supporting one another and talked about ways in which we can support each other and the Jewish community here in the United States.

Over 200 guests attended the 2023 JCDS Annual Chanukah Extravaganza, Schmanukah! Through modern renditions of Broadway classics, students learned the true meaning of Chanukah

C A L E N D A R H I G H L I G H T S

The fifth and sixth graders had an amazing opportunity to hear a book talk by author Ruth Behar at the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane Dr Behar inspired the students to write down their own stories and to listen to their elders, emphasizing the value of connecting to family and cultural history

Green Preschoolers had a BEE-autiful Kabbalat Shabbat in the shade of the sukkah where they sang songs, blew the shofar, and got to sample sweet treats like apples and honey, grape juice, and round challah. This joyful celebration was one of Green Preschool’s monthly themedShabbats.

JCDS celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut 2024 with an IDF theme. Students did tons of activities and ended the special day with an Israeli song and dance party

The Green Preschool community gathered to celebrate Chanukah at the inaugural Festival of Lights sponsored by Susan and Howard Green Children lit the menorah, sang songs, then ran around an illuminated Bart Field (made possible by thousands of multicolored lights) with flashlights, glow sticks, and headlamps The magical activities included enjoying beignets and hot cocoa!

Sixth graders joined students from several other Jewish day schools for our annual Civil Rights trip to Selma, Birmingham, and Montgomery, Alabama. The transformative experience included The Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery

Moon Fest has become a tradition that Green Preschoolers (and their teachers!) look forward to each year, and the 2024 event, sponsored by Tracy and George Loss, did not disappoint. Children were dazzled by such out-of-this-world activities as galactic playdough, a rocket ship building launch pad, sensational sensory bins, and Big Dipper bubbles. Green Preschoolers rocked out to live music, enjoyed snoballs, and watched rocket launch videos with real NASA scientists

With special thanks to friends from Tulane Hillel, JCDS now proudly features a gorgeous sukkah designed by the Tulane School of Architecture

This year’s JCDS Talent Show included singers, dancers, piano and ukelele players, magic, comedy, and even a karate act! Students brought down the house with the finale song, "Am Y'Israel Chai "

Following the Talent Show, students--along with many guests--danced in their costumes to jazz tunes from Greg Hicks and Friends during the annual Purim Parade

In Jewish Studies, students produced a movie dramatizing a trial of characters from The Garden of Eden Ultimately, Eve was convicted of two counts; eating from the forbidden fruit and sharing contraband Interestingly, the snake was acquitted of all charges. Someone had a great defense attorney.

Students were thrilled to have Israeli artist Hanoch Piven visit JCDS Children listened intently to Piven discuss his history and his process in creating his world-reknowned art Students then used what they learned to create their own self-portraits while Piven went from room to room, offering advice

The community came together to celebrate all things ROYGBIV! Keshet (the Hebrew word for rainbow) featured activities led by Longue Vue Gardens and Mess Arts In lieu of an admission fee, attendees brought glass items to be recycled by local organization Glass Half Full. Sponsors included the JCDS Parents Association, PJ Library, and Prizmah

WITH DEEPEST GRATITUDE

Larry Brook, Editor at Southern Jewish Life Magazine

Vivian and Richard Cahn

The Franco Family

Susan and Howard Green

Tracy & George Loss

Jewish Community Center of Metairie

JCDS Board and Faculty

Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Lis and Hugo Kahn

Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust

Our Community Rabbis

Parents' Association President Lauren Gerber, Parents Association Vice-President (Green Preschool) Cece Schneider-McBride and the entire JCDS Parents Association

S U P P O R T

A thriving Jewish day school is key to a vibrant Jewish community. Please support JCDS with a tax-deductible charitable gift

STOCK SALE | Contact Morgan Stanley at (504)587-9645

TEXT YOUR GIFT | Simply text one of the following to (504)732-9722

General Donation | In Memory/In Honor | Annual Campaign Event BY PHONE | Call us at JCDS! Contact Tiffany Cotlar (Director of Advancement): (504)887 4091

IN-PERSON | Stop by! We would love to thank you in person

VENMO | @JCDS-School

SCAN QR CODE FOR ONLINE GIVING

JCDS Mission Statement

The mission of Jewish Community Day School (JCDS) is to instill a love of learning invigorated by academic excellence. JCDS is grounded in Jewish tradition, fostering spirituality (emunah), dedication to repair our world (tikkun olam), and commitment to the entire Jewish people (k’lal Yisrael) JCDS is a nurturing school where families of all backgrounds are welcomed and children are prepared to be engaged compassionate leaders.

At JCDS we ensure that:

Students become inquiring, capable youth who are passionate lifelong learners

Teachers are dedicated to best educational practices

Families are engaged in their children’s academic achievement and holistic development

Ethics and morals of our students are nurtured through commitment to Jewish values

Positive connections to the language, land, culture and people of the State of Israel are created

Children are primed for full participation in our global society

JCDS considers all applicants for employment and admission without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, citizenship, or any other protected status.

Acrobatic stars to New Orleans recluses

Film preserves the adventures of sisters Nita and Zita

The world barely noticed when sisters Flora and Piroska Gellert finished their time on it, six years apart, with only the officiating rabbi and a neighbor attending their funerals in the pauper’s section of Hebrew Rest Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans.

But when that neighbor, Betty Kirkland, was given permission to enter the house of the reclusive sisters and sell their belongings, she found a story about two trailblazing Jewish women who traveled the world as acrobatic burlesque dancers, inspiring other performers and creating a treasure trove of art that filled the house on Dauphine Street in the Marigny.

Their story is now being told in the film “The Nita and Zita Project.” On Sept. 19, the film was screened at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans, followed by a talk with filmmakers Marci Darling and Sharon Gillen.

The sisters left Nagybanya, Hungary, fleeing antisemitism, and immigrated to the United States on The Reliance, arriving at Ellis Island in 1922, just before the U.S. drastically cut back on accepting immigrants. Based out of New York, the new U.S. citizens performed as Nita and Zita, combining burlesque and acrobatics on the way to becoming world famous. With two steamer trunks filled with costumes that they made themselves, they traveled the world, performing in France, Manila, Shanghai, Havana, Buenos Aires and many other locations.

Around 1929, New Orleans became a regular performance stop for them as they toured, and in the 1930s their “home address” was some-

where in New Orleans, changing every so often.

In the 1940s they lived in Arizona for a few years, but little is known of their time there other than real estate records. In 1948 they bought the house in the Marigny. After dancing for a few more years and having a teaching studio for a time, they retired and became recluses.

Devoted to their craft, neither sister ever married. Flora died in 1985, and Piroska died in 1991. After their only living relative gave Kirkland permission to dispose of their things, she found thousands of pieces of

Senior Care

Experts in aging

community

handmade clothing throughout the house, their old costumes, hundreds of performance photos, handmade bead curtains, furniture that they had painted with all manner of designs and sponge paint patterns on the walls. This led to an estate sale that lasted five years.

Exploring the mystery

Darling is a bestselling author of mystery novels set in New Orleans who has worked as a professional belly dancer, circus acrobat and burlesque dancer for 20 years. She toured as a dancer with The Go-Go’s, the B-52’s and Paul McCartney, and with numerous famous Middle Eastern performers.

Among her television credits was as the belly dancer for John Boy’s bachelor party in The Waltons TV Special.

She has also written a book about grief, “Divorce Diva: Navigating Grief and Loss with Hope, Humor, and Chutzpah,” after her marriage fell apart, her father died, her mother was lost to dementia and her best friend committed suicide, all within one year starting in 2017.

Darling learned about Nita and Zita in 1997, when she wandered into Judy’s Collage, “this junk treasure shop on Chartres Street” and saw numerous vintage costumes of theirs hanging from the ceiling. “I had been in a bar the night before and saw a picture of them” and was drawn to their vintage look. She “started hearing about them every time I turned around.”

After she returned to Los Angeles, a New Orleans Oyster dancer came to California to put together a show, and wanted to do an act about Nita and Zita. “I had a burlesque act with my dance partner and best friend,” Kim Murphy, who did contortionist acrobatics, and they incorporated Nita and Zita into their routines, performing the act as Honey and Vermilion every Thursday night at the Viper Room in Hollywood before taking the show worldwide.

Darling would eventually move to New Orleans, where “there was a lot of lore and mythology about them, but there wasn’t any real facts about them. People had heard through the grapevine,” Darling said.

About two years ago, she woke up from a dream and knew she had to tell the story about Nita and Zita. With a lack of source material, she figured it would be a five-minute short filmed on her phone about their impact on artists. It wound up being much more.

Through the New England Genealogical Society, she was able to find their travel manifests. “I just started following all the threads and was completely amazed that I was able to corroborate the stories.”

In January 2023, Darling approached Gillen, who had been looking at a career change, and specifically wanted to connect more deeply with her Jewish ancestry. “So when Marci approached me with this project about these Jewish women, I immediately said yes… This is the project” that she wanted to dedicate her time to. “When I found out that they were actually from the same region of Eastern Europe as my ancestors, I felt it was something I needed to pursue and needed to follow, and it was the universe’s way of showing me my next life step.”

Not only that, after the film was finished they discovered that the sisters’ mother’s last name was the same as some of Gillen’s ancestors. “We’re looking to see if there might be some connection,” Darling said.

For Darling, this film was also a way to honor the memory of her dance partner, Murphy, who died in 2018.

Gillen said “healing through creativity is the theme of the movie.”

Darling noted that the sisters grew up during World War I, lived through the White Terror, were in Shanghai during the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, “they were dancing in Berlin, in Budapest in 1939, and they went through so many horrible things, traumatic things,” but “they never lost their joy, they never stopped dancing, never stopped creating.” Even after they could no longer dance, they kept creating.

She said a little known secret in the world is that the opposite of depression is not joy, it is expression. “Creativity can really help people process and make it through difficult times.”

community

They continued to do research on the “very cherished New Orleans characters” that people knew very little about. “People had been seeing their items around, loving them and buying them, there are lots of shop owners in the Quarter who kept altars to them, with all their things, and collected their items,” Darling said.

She added that they found people who “saw them as children, who lived in their neighborhood… They did not interact with their neighbors or the community at all, except people saw them walking down the street in their finest.”

Their finest was self-made clothing, as they never just bought something off the rack and wore it. Darling explained that one dress could have been made from 400 pieces, taking found objects and remaking them in their style. “From tin can crowns to tin can belts, cigarette foil rolled up into pom-poms and sewn onto hats… they made everything their own.”

The estate sale ensured their story was spread far and wide, with artists all over the world influenced by their style.

The story was also preserved through a stage show, “Nita & Zita,” written and directed by Lisa D’Amour, with a score by New Orleans jazz pianist Tom McDermott. The show premiered in New Orleans in 2001, then was successful Off-Broadway in New York, winning an OBIE Award. It returned for a couple more engagements in New Orleans in 2005.

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Alan Smason coordinated a Zoom broadcast of the show, with the original cast from 15 years earlier.

For Darling, a challenge in doing research was the constant mis-spelling of their names in the press, as well as them using numerous variants of their names, and their father had changed the family name from Grun to Gellert.

But it turned out that there was definitely source material available, as the sisters saved their flyers and newspaper clippings. “They had newspaper clippings in Hungarian from 1919 that was rave reviews” of their dancing in Transylvania. “A lot of the information is stuff that they kept, which then their neighbor kept,” Darling said. When Kirkland went into a facility because of Alzheimer’s, another neighbor rescued the documents from being thrown out, and they are now at the Historic New Orleans Collection, where they were donated “just at the same time we had started our idea.”

The documents also include tickets from the luxury ships they traveled in, and invitations from the ship captains, as ships used the opportunity to mingle with celebrities as a selling point. “I could have done a documentary just on the ships,” Darling reflected. One of the ships was the “spectacular” Leviathan, which was famous in the 1920s and whose orchestra released their own album. They also did engagements for months at a time in Panama, which Darling discovered “because they saved the contracts.”

Much of the research is preserved on their website, nitazitaproject. com, and Darling is writing a piece for the Southern Jewish Historical Society’s journal.

The film premiered in March at the Salem Film Festival, and it has started winning awards on the film festival circuit. It also had a sold-out screening at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

It will be at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in November, and a possible Arkansas screening in February.

“It’s a scrappy little tale, so quirky and fun,” Gillen said. As first-time filmmakers, they are currently exploring distribution.

“The drive to make (the film) was to tell the story of outsider artists, marginalized women. It’s a very unusual story that was so inspiring to so many people,” Darling said.

Gillen added that after October 7, “I feel so fortunate to have found this Jewish story to talk about… it is so important to tell Jewish stories, now more than ever.”

Darling noted that one other result of the movie is “smashing the stereotypes of Jewish stories, dancer stories, women’s stories, artist stories. Artists are greatly underappreciated in our world.”

New Orleans Southern Jewish Dining

Rosie’s on the Roof

1000 Magazine St., New Orleans (504) 528-1941

This stunning Higgins Hotel rooftop bar and lounge with sweeping views of the New Orleans skyline is the perfect place to start — and finish — your night in New Orleans. Serving small plates, sandwiches and specialty cocktails.

English Tea Room

734 E. Rutland Street

Historic Downtown Covington (985) 898-3988

The Windsor High Tea is comprised of sandwiches, mini-savories, mini desserts, two chocolate dipped strawberries, two scones with house-made clotted cream, lemon curd or preserves.

Galatoire’s

209 Bourbon Street (504) 525-2021

The grand dame of New Orleans’ time-honored restaurants, Galatoire’s is a 119-year-old, James Beard award winning restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter.

Tal’s Hummus

4800 Magazine St., New Orleans (504) 267-7357

Serving Israeli-inspired gourmet entrees using the freshest ingredients. Specialties include falafel, hummus, pita sandwiches, platters, kebabs, salads and much more. Catering available.

Kosher Cajun

3519 Severn Avenue, Metairie (504) 888-2010

Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery has authentic New York specialties — all Kosher certified. Enjoy classic eats like Reubens and matzah ball soup, plus kosher grocery staples too.

921 Canal Street, New Orleans inside the Ritz-Carlton

M bistro’s menu is an indigenous approach to the preparation of the finest meats, seafood and produce from growers in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.

M Bistro

Apolline

4729 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans (504) 894-8881

Apolline features contemporary French cuisine with Creole influences and locally-grown ingredients. Confit Duck Bowl: Potato hash, peppers, poached eggs, cracklin and hollandaise

Cafe Normandie

1000 Magazine St., New Orleans (504) 528-1941

The Higgins Hotel’s full-service restaurant, Cafe Normandie offers an elevated dining experience showcasing French-influenced cuisine. Open for breakfast and lunch, and Sunday brunch.

Commander’s Palace

1403 Washington Avenue New Orleans (504) 899-8221

Ella Brennan said she didn’t want a restaurant where a jazz band can’t come marching through. Come for the legendary Commander’s Jazz Brunch, stay for the rollicking Louisiana charm and award-winning New Haute Creole cuisine.

Son of a

Bun

4734 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans (504) 510-2791

Newly opened Uptown burger restaurant serving fresh homemade burgers, hand-formed and made to order, specializing in creative burgers such as veggie burgers, lamb burgers, and tuna burgers.

Birmingham Southern Jewish Dining

Curry Corner

Now open in English Village, with authentic Indian flavors, and specialties like Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, and Biryani. Takeout, delivery and catering services are available. 2037 Cahaba Road Birmingham (205) 201-6530

A nice place for nice people since 2002, Rojo is a casual restaurant in the heart of Highland Park, featuring Latin and American cuisine, with a large patio overlooking Rushton Park. 2921 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham (205) 328-4733

Celebrating its first anniversary in downtown Birmingham, AHKI brings Mediterranean influenced New York street food to the area, with customizable rice bowls, salads and gyros. 121 20th Street North, Birmingham (205) 518-0035

The Fish Market

612 22nd Street So., Birmingham (205) 322-3330

A Birmingham classic, The Fish Market on Southside offers the freshest seafood around, live music and an oyster bar. Private and semi-private dining available, along with catering.

Surf Hound

New from Chef Abhi, Surf Hound Club pays tribute to 1960s-70s surf community culture, with coastal style beach fare, including burgers, wings, fresh fish and signature Abhi dishes. 2721 Cahaba Road, Birmingham Mountain Brook Village (205) 747-0257

361 Rele Street, Mountain Brook (205) 238-5360

Global flavors that are fast and casual: Maro’s Asian fusion by Chef Abhi features appetizing salads, hot and fresh bowls, all crafted with a dedication to using the finest, locally-sourced ingredients.

Rojo

Maro

Abhi

Abhi serves the food Chef Abhi grew up with in Kathmandu, including his famous Momos, sushi rolls, salads, skewers, and innovative dishes with influences from Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and more.

Avine

You’ve never heard a story quite like that of Natchez, Mississippi - a city of change and transformation. Where our iconic historic homes set the stage for diverse and fascinating local characters...and our present is just as lively. Plan your experience at VisitNatchez.org

2225 2nd Avenue No. Birmingham (205) 224-5177

A French inspired wine bar and retail shop in downtown Birmingham, enjoy wines by the glass with small plates, tartines or charcuterie, or order wines by the bottle online for curbside pickup.

Taj India

3028 Clairmont Ave., Birmingham (205) 939-3805

Taj India, Birmingham’s original Tandoori Grill and Curry House, celebrates its 26th anniversary with a new location, serving authentic Indian dishes with a daily lunch buffet and extensive dinner menu.

A commitment to care.

To the Families of New Orleans

Our decision to join the professionals at Lake Lawn Metairie allows us to continue our mission to provide families the highest caliber of care in the most beautiful of surroundings. Lake Lawn Metairie proudly serves all congregations and all local cemeteries. Whether planning in advance or at the time of need, we’re dedicated to serving families with professionalism, compassion and attention to detail that is second to none.

Sincerely,

Stephen Sontheimer & Billy Henry

“All Shuk Up” GatesFest changing format

The fourth GatesFest music festival is “All Shuk Up” as it changes its format to a late afternoon and evening experience at Metairie’s Gates of Prayer.

GatesFest After Dark will be on Oct. 20 from 4 to 9 p.m., with Flow Tribe as the headliner. Additional acts that have already been introduced include Brasshearts Brass Band and Funk Monkey.

The festival will also be moving indoors, to avoid fickle weather and provide a more secure environment. The previous events had been held in the congregation’s parking lot. This year’s event will be in the sanctuary, social hall and community room spaces.

The first GatesFest was held as a way to have a music festival at a time of social distancing due to Covid, with the audience in pods throughout the parking lot.

Central to this year’s theme will be an Israeli shuk, a marketplace of local artists and food vendors, including Bodega NOLA, Bayou Bagels, Dvash and Bad Dog Babka, along with deli from the Brotherhood and Israeli-inspired drinks from the Sisterhood.

A cocktail courtyard will be set up in the Bart community room with spirits, beer, and wine donated by The Goldring Family Foundation.

As part of the festival, there will be a kumsitz, an Israeli-style singalong led by Cantorial Soloist Jordan Lawrence and friends under a tent structure. They will lead communal song and dance sessions between bands.

Tickets are free at GatesFest.org, but required for admission. Every person attending will be asked to produce their own ticket, along with photo identification, except for youth without ID. There is a GatesFest Fund as an option when reserving tickets, with proceeds going toward next year’s festival.

GatesFest sponsors include the Goldring Family Foundation, New Orleans Theatre Association, the Plotkin Family, Wells Fargo, Metairie Bank, the Middleburg Family, NOLA Detox, Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Jewish Community Day School and Humana.

Grants enhance Early Childhood security

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans received a $100,000 grant from the Tepper Foundation and Jewish Federations of North America, to enhance security for Jewish early childhood programs. The funds were distributed to the New Orleans Jewish Community Center Early Childhood Center; Jewish Community Day School, Slater Torah Academy and Gates of Prayer Louise Hayem Manheim Preschool in Metairie; and the Rayner Center at Unified Jewish Congregation in Baton Rouge.

The North Louisiana Jewish Federation announced it received a $10,000 grant.

Overall, there were $9 million in grants issued to 76 local Federations in 30 states, all of whom participate in the LiveSecure Initiative to establish comprehensive security plans.

The Tepper Foundation launched the Security Fund in November 2023 and has now made grants of more than $12 million across the nation to support the security needs of the American Jewish community.

New Orleans Jewish Family Service announces fall professional workshops

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans will have several Mental Health Professional Workshops this fall, with opportunities for continuing education credits.

The season started on Sept. 20 with Ashley Comegys leading a Zoom session on Online Therapy in Louisiana: Ethical and Clinical Applications.

On Oct. 11 at 8:45 a.m., Bess Hart will lead “Assessing Suicidal Ideation: Meaningful Intervention and Crisis Planning” at the JFS conference room. Hart has taught grief and loss, and suicide assessment at Tulane University School of Social Work.

The workshop will explore statistics about suicide and prevention tactics that reduce attempts and completions. There will also be self-reflection about anxieties that can impede meaningful intervention.

The session is eligible for three diagnosis hours with LCA and three clinical hours for LABSWE.

Thomas Maestri will lead “Psychopharmacology Review: Common Psychiatric Drug Mechanisms and Side Effects” on Nov. 15 at 8:45 a.m. at JFS. He is one of four board certified psychiatric clinical pharmacy specialists in Louisiana.

The presentation, which is already sold out, will review the mechanism of action and adverse effects of common medications used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The session is eligible for three diagnosis hours with LCA and three clinical hours for LABSWE.

The season concludes with “Grief: An Opportunity,” with Lynn Friedman, on Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. at JFS. Friedman has presented locally, regionally and nationally over the last 30 years in such fields as women’s issues,

LGBT+ issues, domestic violence, crisis intervention, disability issues, trauma, grief, ethics, and Mussar.

The workshop will provide both an understanding and some practical techniques for working with clients who are grieving. It will address normal, traumatic, and complicated grief. The session is eligible for three diagnosis hours with LCA and three clinical hours for LABSWE.

Registration for each session is $50 in advance, $60 at the door, pending availability.

Walk for Parkinson’s on Oct. 26

The 11th Annual Louisiana Walks for Parkinson’s event will be on Oct. 26 at Lafreniere Park Pavilion Island in Metairie, Louisiana.

This event is entirely volunteer-driven and supports the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, an organization dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s “live well today.” The Foundation offers free educational and inspirational programs, tools, and resources to people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and families.

Additionally, they fund innovative research focusing on exercise, speech, movement, and other quality of life-based therapies. Previous events have supported local programs such as the New Orleans Ballet Association’s Dance for Parkinson’s and Baudry Brio Parkinson’s Exercise Program.

Last year’s event raised $102,000, and “we are excited to bring this beloved event back to the Metairie community in 2024,” said Publicity Chair Alan Krilov.

Online registration closes on Oct. 24 at parkinsonswalk.org. Check-in on Oct. 26 starts at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m.

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Spreading Kindness Daily

By Caleigh Rathmell Alevy

As I exchange pleasantries with a passerby, my children often ask, “Who was that?” Their curiosity never gets old.  Sometimes, the person is a friend and I explain how I know them; but often it’s a “stranger” and I’m simply acknowledging them with a wave or a smile and a “hi.”

My kids have witnessed enough of these interactions to know that I don’t mind if the person doesn’t reciprocate my greeting. I remind them that it’s more about giving than receiving. I want to spread kindness and offer human connection, something that sometimes gets lost in today’s digitally connected world.

One of my kids usually follows up with, “Why did you say ‘hi’?”

I explain, “It’s simple, really, I want them to know they are seen.  And that we are in this world together.”

When I was a teenager, I yearned to feel accepted and noticed but felt insecure and lacked confidence.  Back then, I certainly wasn’t comfortable with taking the chance that someone wouldn’t reciprocate my “hello.”  Then in college, I was shocked when a friend who I had known many years but had recently become close to said, “when we were younger, I thought you were snobby because you never looked at me or spoke to me.”

It suddenly became clear I had the power to create a positive impact by focusing on my surroundings, being open and friendly, and spreading kindness.  To this very day, I carry that experience with me and try to greet people as often as I get the opportunity.

There is a lot of negativity, outrage and anger in our world today, particularly online.  I worry about what lies ahead, especially for my children. As tempting as it is to engage around those messages on social media, I challenge myself to take in my surroundings and remember how rewarding it feels to connect with nature and the people around me. I don’t want to miss a possible opportunity to see someone’s smile or hear their voice.  These fleeting moments remind me that there is goodness in the world and hope for our future.

Will you join me and challenge yourself to say hello to a stranger? It is impossible for my children to understand what the world was like before cell phones and computers; but continuing the practice of greetings models for them that engaging face-to-face carries unique value and genuine engagement. Remember too, your kindness may just be a lifeline for someone in need of a smile.

Jewish playwright’s most personal work opens the 2024-25 ASF season

By Lee J. Green

A love letter to the parents of Jewish playwright Ken Ludwig gives a heartwarming opening to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s 2024-25 season.

“Dear Jack, Dear Louise” – winner of the Helen Hayes Best New Play Award in 2020 – will come to the Octagon Stage, Sept. 26 to Oct. 13.

“Ken Ludwig is a master of comedy, but this play blends comedy with a deep personal and emotional connection,” said Director Risa Brainin “It’s a love story with drama of World War II as a backdrop.”

Jack Ludwig and Louise Rabiner were introduced by their fathers. At the time, Jack was a U.S. Army captain, a military doctor stationed in Oregon as he begins writing to Louise, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City. They hope to meet someday, as the war will allow.

But as the war continues and Jack is sent overseas, it threatens to end their relationship before it begins. Ludwig tells the story of his parents’ courtship during the war, through bringing those letters they wrote to each other to life.

“It’s a very intimate story with just the two actors on the stage as they go through different locations and situations,” said Brainin. “The story evolves through the reading/acting out of the letters and becomes more interwoven as they grow closer together despite being so far apart.”

Brainin’s first time directing a show for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival was for Ludwig’s “Comedy of Errors” in 2000. In 2012, she directed an original work from the ASF Southern Writers series called “In the

Book Of,” which focuses on immigration.

The Jewish director started as an actress growing up in Chicago. She would study theatre at New York University and earn a degree from the Carnegie-Mellon University Drama Program, where she first learned directing.

“I was grateful that my parents were so supportive of me wanting to make a career in acting,” said Brainin, who traveled across the country for years as a professional theatre actress before becoming the Resident Director at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and focusing on directing as well as education.

“Starting as an actor has completely informed me as a director,” she said. “I can help actors to discover what they need to discover and to look at the big picture.”

She served for several years as artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz in California. Brainin currently is a freelance director and founder of the new play development program LAUNCH PAD at the University of California in Santa Barbara.

“It has been so fulfilling to act, direct and help to mentor new playwrights,” she said. “And I’m excited that my position at UCSB encourages me to travel across the country to direct shows, then pass that on to my students.”

“It is great to be back in Alabama and at this magnificent facility,” added Brainin. “I know ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ will really resonate with everyone.”

What’s Your TRADITION?

NCJW celebrates year of successes

Kaplinsky honored with Harold Salmon Sr. Award

It was a day of law enforcement and honoring excellence as the New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women held its closing event and board installation on June 30 at the Metairie Country Club.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick was the guest speaker. During the program, Barbara Kaplinsky was presented the Harold Salmon, Sr. Award, and President Gail Chalew gave an overview of the year’s successes.

Kirkpatrick reported that New Orleans saw its murder rate plummet by more than 40 percent in the first half of this year, a drop that is among the largest seen in the nation’s most murderous cities. According to data analytics, non-fatal shootings saw a similar decrease.

“NOPD credits our officers, civilian hires and partnerships with other law enforcement agencies for the gains on violent crime,” Kirkpatrick said.

Chalew presented the Salmon Award to Kaplinsky. Named for the former chair of Holsum’s Bakery, the award is not presented every year, Chalew said. “The last year was 2020. Only when a leader rises to the top, like the bread Harold so lovingly baked, do we choose to recognize that individual.”

The award honors those who contribute their

time and talents in volunteer service to the Section.

“After a long and successful career in United Way, Barbara focused her talents, passions, and skills on the volunteer realm,” Chalew said.

Kaplinsky served as Section president from 2017 to 2019. She led the effort for the section to be recognized with the national “Champions for Social Change” award at the national meeting held in 2018. Using her marketing skills, she created a NCJW “Join Us” advertising print and social media campaign.

Kaplinsky strengthened the advocacy efforts of NCJW, expanding the number of issues addressed, paying particular attention to supporting the passage of a law that gave formerly incarcerated people the right to vote.

Under her leadership there was an NCJW Community Service Fair to secure additional volunteers for NCJW Community Services. She also led the way to help establish Engaging New Voices and Voters, an innovative voter registration, education and turnout coalition that since 2018 has registered many thousands of new voters.

“She is the go-to person for all things media and has continued to flex her advocacy muscles as chair of the community service, Together New Orleans,” Chalew said. “She is currently helping to lead the TNO Listening Campaign and its ‘Pledge to Vote’ effort.” Her involvement extended statewide where she participated in a media push to successfully defeat the Corporate Welfare Amendment. Kaplinsky also chaired the NCJW Nominating committee.

Chalew added that “some of the organizations that have benefited from her talents and skills are Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, the New Orleans Jewish Community Day School, LimmudFest, Jewish Children’s Regional Services, and Louisiana Agenda for Women.”

Kaplinsky urged NCJW members to continue to work to turn progressive ideals into action, strive for social justice and safeguard individual rights and freedoms.

“There is power in the work we do. We have accomplished so much and yet, we are still a work in progress,” Kaplinsky said. “Voting rights, abortion rights and civil rights are all on the chopping block. Antisemitism is rising. And the recent Supreme Court

decisions on gun control, affirmative action, reproductive justice and other critical issues are taking us backwards.”

She emphasized that the opportunities to get involved in NCJW and other non-profits such as the local synagogues, United Way, JCRS, JFS, JCDS, Together New Orleans, Engaging New Voices and Voters are endless.

“If you want to leave this world better than you found it, volunteering and advocating is the way to make it happen,” she said.

Over the past year, Chalew said she learned “so much more about the important legacy of NCJW, which has made possible the significant role it plays in the area,… I learned that the Section is fueled by the power of community and that so many of us are seeking ways to become part of that community, strengthening it in the process.”

Among the many successes, Chalew singled out the formation of the Reproductive Justice/ Religious Freedom committee and the orchestration of the Hannah G. Solomon luncheon where NCJW honored Anne Levy for her decades of educating the community about the horrors of the Holocaust.

She also expressed pride in the implementation of deep listening sessions, where members gathered to share so honestly their differing views and emotions about the Israel/Gaza conflict, in an atmosphere of respect and openness. There were also less serious events, including touring exhibits at NOMA, the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience and the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Judge Robin Giarrusso presided over the board installation.

Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick with Mimi Schlesinger

Gail Chalew, Susan Greenberg, Sue Singer and Susan Hess

Photos by Jeff Strout Photography

President Gail Chalew presents Harold Salmon Award to Barbara Kaplinsky

Carole Neff, Lilli Geltman, Judge Robin Giarrusso

>> Agenda continued from page 8

The Oscar J. Tolmas Legacy Reception will be held at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans’ lobby at the Goldring/Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reserve by Oct. 15.

Jewish Community Day School in Metairie will have its Fall Open House on Oct. 27 at noon, for families of infants to sixth grade.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie will launch its 175th anniversary celebrations on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m., with a night of storytelling and song with Rabbi Robert Loewy, Rabbi David Gerber and Cantorial Soloists Tory May and Jordan Lawrence. Dinner will be catered by Bodega NOLA, owned by Gates of Prayer member Jaryd Kase. Ticket information will be announced. The congregation is also partnering with the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience to record oral histories of congregational families.

Touro and Sinai Temple Youth in New Orleans will have a Sukkot party, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at Touro Synagogue.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie will have Breast Cancer Shabbat, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

Chabad of Louisiana will host Shofar at the Park, a Tashlich service and shofar blowing, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Audubon Park Lagoon, St. Charles Avenue entrance. Reserve here.

The annual JNOLA Rosh Hashanah Toast will be on Oct. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wrong Iron.

Saying “we will dance again,” Shir Chadash in Metairie will have a

Klezmer Simchat Torah celebration, Oct. 24 at 6:15 p.m., with music by David Wesson and Ben Schenck.

The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge will have a Shabbat service with Sukkot mixology, and dinner from Bistro Byronz, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

>>

Rear Pew

continued from page 46

Dustin Hoffman still had many years ahead so Offenbach couldn’t know how the story would unfold. Nevertheless, this opera is still performed in various versions that were rounded out by other composers, who thus truly put the “opera” in “cooperation.”

Of course, perhaps the most famous Jewish-originated opera of the 20th Century came from the iconic fraternal collaboration of Leonard, Adolph, and Julius Marx: the 1935 film, “A Night at the Opera.”

This Marx Brothers film features scenes from several actual operas, including multiple moments from “Il Trovatore” which was composed by… the aforementioned Giuseppe Verdi.

Speaking of “A Night at the Opera,” the 1975 Queen album of the same name is often regarded as their best record. While nobody in Queen was Jewish at the time, Adam Lambert has performed with them since 2012.

That film and album might not be operas in the strictest sense, but they’re as enjoyable as a day at the races.

Doug Brook performs as two of the four opera tenors in “A Comedy of Tenors” in August/September, even though he’s a bass. To acquire the new FIVE-star rated book “Rear Pew Mirror: Reflections From the Back of the Sanctuary,” read past columns, or listen to the FIVE-star rated Rear Pew Mirror podcast, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/

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Problem Yards Our Specialty

Fiddler of the Opera

Jewish opera. Sounds crazy, no?

If one imagines fiddlers falling off roofs like chandeliers crashing to the stage floor, then it’s crazy, yes.

But, yes, Virginia, there is Jewish opera. Jewish composers have not historically been confined to their prevalence in Broadway musicals and Christmas songs. While the Jewish presence in opera is sparser than in these other musical genres, their presence is felt in both composing and sometimes in providing subject matter.

Among better-known Jewish opera composers are George Gershwin (“Porgy and Bess”), Leonard Bernstein (“A Quiet Place”), and Arnold Schoenberg (the unfinished, dodecaphonic “Moses und Aron”). But there have been numerous others.

For example, soon after composing the music for Brecht’s “The Threeshekel Opera,” featuring the hit mohel song “Mack the Knife,” Kurt Weill composed an opera called “The Eternal Road.”

Weill composed for it on the eve of World War II to shine a light on the tenuous tenor of those times for German Jews. Set in a synagogue and including melodies derived from German Jewish liturgical music, its story features Jews hiding in a synagogue throughout the night while a pogrom rages outside.

It premiered in New York in 1937 and went unstaged again until the year 2000 commemoration of Weill’s birth and death, which were 50 years apart.

This

The long gap between performances is potentially explained by — even after the piece was cut so substantially that Mack the Knife would need a nap — the opera’s running time was still six hours, making it nearly as long as most High Holy Day sermons.

column will be music to your eyes

While not Jewish, despite his first syllable, Giuseppe Verdi composed the Italian opera “Nabucco” which depicts the trials and exiles the Jews faced under the Babylonski king Nebuchadnezzar II.

Verdi is best-known for operas that retroactively provided inspiration to Shakespeare such as “Otello” and “Falstaff,” and also for his 1871 collaboration with Elton John and Tim Rice, “Aida.” This early opera about Judaic woe established Verdi’s career and is performed more than infrequently in modern times.

Giacomo Meyerbeer, a German Jewish composer, was one of the most-performed opera composers of the 1800s. He was so prominent — he was said to be as popular in his day as Beethoven — that the renowned composer and eternally mispronounced antisemite Richard Wagner eventually waged an extensive campaign against Meyerbeer, which some say ushered his legacy into obscurity.

A Frenchman named Fromental Halévy was the son of a cantor and is most remembered for his first successful opera “La Juive” (“The Jewess”) — a medieval tale about love, death, revenge, and other similar things that arise at most people’s Seder tables even today. And there’s an actual Seder scene in Act Two.

Jacques Offenbach composed almost 100 operettas which, if you add them together, do not equal 50 operas, any more than combining two Haftarahs equals one Torah.

However, Offenbach also composed the opera “The Tales of Hoffmann,” which he left unfinished at the time of his death, in part because