Southern Jewish Life, New Orleans, October 2021 by Southern Jewish Life

Southern Jewish Life INSIDE:

NEW ORLEANS EDITION

October 2021

Volume 31 Issue 10

Southern Jewish LifeLife Southern Jewish 3747 West Esplanade Ave. P.O. Box 130052 3rd Floor Birmingham, AL 35213 Metairie, LA 70002 NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster on the ground in Louisiana

shalom y’all For the Squad, what the world needs is more dead Jews. And Palestinians, for that matter. Harsh, perhaps. But in their quest to remain passionately anti-Israel, they have let logic fly out the door and taken a position that would lead to putting more lives at risk and increase the possibility of war. Hardly a stance for a committed lover of peace. The story began on Sept. 21 as the U.S. House tried to pass a Continuing Resolution to authorize stopgap spending and avoid a governmental shutdown. Among the items in the resolution was $1 billion to replenish the Iron Dome supplies that were used by Israel during the May conflict with Hamas, where the terrorist group launched around 4,000 rockets from Gaza toward Israeli population centers. Members of the Squad, part of the progressive wing of the Democratic party, refused to vote for the resolution as long as the Iron Dome funding — all of which, incidentally, has to be spent in the United States — remained. To get enough votes to pass, House Democratic leadership had to pull the Iron Dome funds from the resolution. Naturally, Republicans crowed about how this demonstrates that the Democrats are descending further into becoming the anti-Israel party. But the Republicans enabled this bit of political theater, as none of them were voting for the resolution no matter what was in it, as they are trying to pin U.S. budgetary concerns entirely on the Democrats. Since no Republican votes were to be had, this enabled the Squad to make their demands, knowing that with the very slim Democratic majority in the House, their votes were crucial for passage. Two days later, when the Iron Dome funding came up on its own, it passed — 420 to 9, and two abstentions. continued on page 42

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

commentary

MESSAGES

Maccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games I have had the honor of attending many Maccabi competitions around the world. From Israel to Australia to South America, Europe and the JCC Maccabi games around the United States and Canada, I have logged many miles seeing how sports can be a vehicle to help build Jewish identity, especially in our young. Soon, a friendship formed… and a commonalBy Hank Greenwald I felt honored to come to Birmingham for the first time and fell in love with not just the city ity of purpose. They walked side by side and visNote:You Last month, Meyer told butEditor’s the people. have takenBubba Southern hospitality to a new level with your kind and caring ited their congregants together. Years later, Rose the story oftoathe rabbi from EuropeGames. who also became approach JCC Maccabi a priest that was notorious for his antisemit- Laser, the rabbi’s daughter, wrote, “In the midst of Led by the Sokol and Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful. They partnered ic writings, and how he eventually wound up, my father’s labors, there was always by his side or with your outstanding staff, led by Betzy Lynch, toclose makeatthe 2017 Maccabi gamespriest. a huge hand theJCC dauntless Catholic ” hit. briefly, in New Orleans. Here is a piece showing I want to take this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalfreTwo teachers — leaders in their respective a completely different kind of experience between of everyone involved. ligions — had come together under harrowing a rabbi and a priest, in I had just returned from the 20th World Maccabiah games in Israel with acircumstances U.S. delegationtoof do Mobile during a pangood. Theof the differencover 1100, joined entire demic. Thewho author lives10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries. Back in July the eyes es in their divergent Jewish were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and in Newworld Orleans. were coaches from around the world being in Birmingham, you became the focalbackgrounds point. “Hello, Father. My never a consideration. Everyone from theLaJewish community and the community at large, including a wonderful name is Abraham Rabbi Laser had police force, to be commended. These games will go down in history as immigrated being a seminal from ser,” said theare man with moment thebeard. Jewish community as we build to the future by providing such wonderful the heavy,for dark Germany. HeJewish had memories. “Hello, Rabbi. I’m met and married his Father Ryan of St. wife Lizetta in MaryJed Margolis Mary’s, ” replied Maccabi the land. There, the young Executive Director, USA bristly-haired priest. couple had begun a The two men had nofamily, then ventured supremacists would like to see pushed back ticedCharlottesville each other many south in 1867 to teach On into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand times on the streets of the Jewish faith. Their with and pray for the family of Heather Heyer, Mobile. Note: They Editor’s Thiswould reaction to the events in journey ended in who was there standing up to the face of this nod as if to recognize Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, Mobile, where Rabbi hate. the sorrow-filled Master of the Alpha purEpsilon Pi Theta Colony Laser taught Judaism pose that University, they shared. We recognize the essence the1868 American at Auburn was shared by AEPi andofin became Their faceswhich reflected narrative as a two-century old struggle National, calledthe it “very eloquent” and rabbi of onetoofridthe Rabbi Abraham Laser and family sadness“our of their work.at AEPi Theta Colony at ourselves of such corners,first andsynagogues allow thosein inthe praised brothers On this hot, humid priest they and the them seat atShomayim. the table that they so deserve. Auburn University and…day, the the leadership South,the Sha’arai rabbi approached each” other. Both men wore It isFather the struggle fulfill the promise of the display on their campus. AbramtoJoseph Ryan had previously black and carried worn and tattered Bibles. Declaration of Independence, that “all men are served as a chaplain in the Confederate Army. The smell of death was in the heat-filled air. created their Creator with He had equal… arrived endowed in Mobilebyduring the summer supremacy has been cancer onfever certain It White was 1870. The pestilence of athe yellow rights. ” We know ourLater workin of 1870,unalienable at the height of the epidemic. our country its beginning, threatening epidemic wassince everywhere. Thousands had fled is from but weaknow we willname not in hisfarlife, he finished, would become household its hopes, its values, and its better angels. Ala- move their homes in the beautiful, oak-adorned backwards. The South, following the publication of his poThe events place in Charlottesville bama city tothat thetook surrounding hills. etry. Known “The Poet Priest” and later When menasand women, fully armed, take“The represented thevisiting worst of this nation. Those To continue and comforting their sick Poet Laureate of the Confederacy,” his happiest the streets in droves with swastikas and who marched onto the streets withhad tikirefused torchesto to and dying congregants, both men days were spent pastor Mobile’s St. Mary’s other symbols ofas hate, it is of a reminder of how and did rabbi so to provoke leaveswastikas Mobile. The had sent violence his familyand away Church. relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism fear. who in marched onto the streets did whileThose he stayed the plague-stricken environs. continued on page are today. It is a wake-up call to the work that 5 so to profess an ideology that harkens back to needs to be done to ensure a better, more a bleaker, more wretched time in our history. A time when men and women of many creeds, welcoming country. But it should not come races, and religions were far from equal and far without a reflection on how far we’ve come. America was born a slave nation. A century from safe in our own borders. A time where into our history we engaged in a war in part Americans lived under a constant cloud of GWe OPPIN OD to ensure would not SH continue as one. racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive hate. The KO SHERwe FO events that took place in Charlottesville served found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil ng Cateri Take Ou — embarked rights, onta— mission to ensure as a reminder of how painfully relevant these Din e Inand the fair treatment of all peoples no matter issues are today. r! their s Yea ly Thi Is Earwe’ve nukah Cha skin color. Although made great strides, Auburn’s Alpha Epsilon Pi stands with the Sun 10am-3pm Fri &grappling -7pm •still 10amwe’re Thu it is a mission with today. MonJewish community of Charlottesville, and

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America was also born an immigrant with the Jewish people around the country -2010 4) 888many country. early as ethe(50 pilgrims, and around the world. We also stand with the airi , Met 3519 SevernAs groups and families found in the country the minorities who are targeted by the hate that om www.koshercajun.c opportunity to plant stakes, chase their future, was on display in Charlottesville. We stand and be themselves. Few were met with open with the minorities of whom these white 4

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

January October2021 2021

Southern Jewish Life PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Richard Friedman richard@sjlmag.com V.P. SALES/MARKETING, NEW ORLEANS Jeff Pizzo jeff@sjlmag.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com SOCIAL/WEB Emily Baldwein connect@sjlmag.com PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE Rabbi Barry C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rivka Epstein, Louis Crawford, Tally Werthan, Stuart Derroff, Belle Freitag, Ted Gelber, E. Walter Katz, Doug Brook brookwrite.com BIRMINGHAM OFFICE P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213 2179 Highland Ave., Birmingham, AL 35205 205/870.7889 NEW ORLEANS OFFICE 3747 West Esplanade, 3rd Floor Metairie, LA 70002 504/249-6875 TOLL-FREE 888/613.YALL(9255) ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries to 205/870.7889 for Lee Green, lee@sjlmag.com Jeff Pizzo, jeff@sjlmag.com Media kit, rates available upon request SUBSCRIPTIONS It has always been our goal to provide a large-community quality publication to all communities of the South. To that end, our commitment includes mailing to every Jewish household in the region (AL, LA, MS, NW FL), without a subscription fee. Outside the area, subscriptions are $25/year, $40/two years. Subscribe via sjlmag.com, call 205/870.7889 or mail payment to the address above. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed in SJL are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff. SJL makes no claims as to the Kashrut of its advertisers, and retains the right to refuse any advertisement.

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agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events

Simchat Torah at Temple Sinai in New Orleans

Pernick leaving Beth Israel “After significant thought and deliberation,” Rabbi Joshua Pernick informed Metairie’s Beth Israel that he will not seek a renewal of his contract next summer, and will “take the next step on my life journey.” Pernick arrived in the summer of 2019 to lead the modern Orthodox congregation, succeeding Rabbi Gabe Greenberg. The announcement was made in an email to the congregation on Oct. 5. “I feel such gratitude to have been welcomed so warmly into this shul,” Pernick said. Noting that the past two years have been “a complicated time for our community and the world,” he has “felt blessed to have a caring congregation to call home as we have navigated the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.” President Harold Pesses said he was sad to receive the news, but expressed his “sincere appreciation” for his “hard work, dedication and outstanding contributions to Beth Israel as our rabbi,” during a time of “stressful and unprecedented pandemic.” After the community scattered in the wake of Hurricane Ida, Pernick and a group of congregants “returned to Beth Israel to complete the

>> Martyr

continued from page 4

Thus, these two men of vastly different faiths and politics, in a time of the worst circumstances, joined in respect and a mutual desire to help others. Their genuine friendship bloomed and was recognized by the citizens of Mobile. Rabbi Laser died on Nov. 12, 1870, the last day of the epidemic. His daughter, Rose Laser, later wrote, “When the plague added my father to its toll of victims, Father Ryan’s grief was as deep as any of the members of the Jewish congregation who had loved him during a lifetime.” Rose, who met Father Ryan years later, afterwards recalled that when “I told him I was the daughter of his old friend, his eyes filled with tears.” To the Mobile congregation and many others in Mobile, he became known as “The Martyr high holidays in a spirit of enthusiasm and hope Rabbi.” A monument was built over his grave. for our future,” Pesses said. He was the first rabbi to be buried in the Jewish Pernick said he will work to strengthen the section of Magnolia Cemetery. foundation of the congregation in the coming Author’s note: Rabbi Laser was my great months as a search committee is formed to grandfather. He became a hero during an epchoose a successor. His contract at Beth Israel is idemic, as have so many in America today. His through July 14, 2022. friendship with Father Ryan was admired. In our “I will always look back fondly at my time in times, perhaps working together toward common New Orleans, and thank you for allowing me to goals would make us stronger. E pluribus unum. serve as your rabbi,” he said. October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

agenda “Who Knows One” contest to benefit ISJL and test Jewish geography

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The online Jewish geography game Who Knows One comes full circle with a fundraising event to benefit the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. The Oct. 28 game will feature two rounds, one matching former ISJL Education Fellows, with the other involving current and former education partners in the region. Who Knows One was created by Micah Hart last year as a way to connect people during the pandemic. A “Chosen One” is selected for the game, after which the two teams use their network of contacts — and contacts of their contacts — to find the Chosen One and convince him or her to join the call. The game relies solely on networking, social media is not allowed. The event will be broadcast on the ISJL Facebook page and is free to watch. Donations to support favorite teams are encouraged, and donations drive the game, from unlocking a clue or an extra lifeline, to a Zoom timeout for an opponent or kicking someone off the call. There are also Superconnectors who can be used during the game. Donation levels for Superconnectors include $54 for former Fellows Rabbi Lex Rofeberg, Rabbi Andrew Terkel and Beth Kander-Dauphin; $180 for Rachel Stern and Rabbi Matt Dreffin, former and current directors of education at ISJL. The big superconnector, of course, is ISJL founder Macy Hart, who is also the father of Micah Hart, at $500. The first round matches former Fellows, with Rachel Katz and Abby Klionsky racing against Alachua Nazarenko and Mandy Farb Herlich. The second round, with a different Chosen One, has Education Partners Sheryl Eskowitz and Rabbi Bess Wohlner against Helaine Braunig and Rabbi Gideon Estes. The race begins at 7 p.m. Central.

JLI offers “Outsmarting Antisemitism” course Are the Jewish people doomed to dealing with antisemitism in perpetuity? The new Rohr Jewish Learning Institute series explores that question with “Outsmarting Antisemitism,” looking at the dark subject with “a sense of unabashed optimism, profound faith, and a distinctly Jewish approach.” Chabad centers in the region will be offering the four-part course starting in late October. Through illuminating source texts and captivating case studies, this course considers the sources of the ancient scourge of antisemitism, along with the appropriate strategies for overcoming it — through positivity, purpose and Jewish pride. The course includes an exploration of why antisemitism isn’t a Jewish problem, it is a problem of the haters and should not be internalized, and how antisemitism is often manifested in anti-Israel activism, and why Jews should remain optimistic and confident. In Baton Rouge, the course will be on Wednesdays from Oct. 27 to Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., in person or on Zoom. Registration is $89, with a 10 percent discount for couples or returning students. In New Orleans, Chabad Uptown will offer the course on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from Oct. 20 to Nov. 10. Registration is $70, with a 10 percent couples discount. The Metairie Chabad will hold classes at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 16. Registration is $70, with a 10 percent discount for couples or returning students. The class will also be offered in Birmingham, but the schedule was not set as of press time. To register, go to myjli.com.

agenda Jewish groups participate in Together New Orleans The New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, Touro Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans were part of a 500-delegate assembly of Together New Orleans, held on July 13 at the Dillard University Lawless Memorial Chapel. Together New Orleans Judge Miriam Waltzer addresses Together is a broad-based coaliNew Orleans tion of congregations and community-based organizations with the ability to address a range of community issues. NCJW President Gail Pesses, Arnie Fielkow and Rabbi Katie Bauman were the participating Jewish leaders. Judge Miriam Waltzer, Sylvia Finger and Barbara Kaplinsky all had speaking roles at the Assembly. Kaplinsky said NCJW financially supports Together New Orleans because “they help us safeguard individual rights and freedoms.” The Community Needs allocation will help start up the Super Block Captains Program this Fall. Finger endorsed a partnership between Engaging New Voices and Voters, and Together New Orleans. Waltzer received a standing ovation for her address, “My Passion for Voting.” In it, Waltzer spoke of arriving in the United States in 1958 as a German immigrant, and being horrified at the segregation that she saw. Her husband, Bruce, did exclusively civil rights work as an attorney from 1961 to 1967. “Many lawyers, including Bruce, as well as students and ordinary people went to Mississippi and other Southern states to fight for the right for ALL to vote. We lived through the murders of Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner and many others,” she said. On Oct. 5, 1963, shortly after she became a citizen, she was at home when 15 state troopers surrounded their house, shortly after the Waltzers had been approved to adopt a baby. The police searched the house, and when Bruce returned, arrested him for sedition. “he intent was to stop all voting efforts and integration activities and to isolate and destroy us,” she said. “The only community that supported us was the black community and a sprinkling of the Jewish community.” In the face of a possible 25-year sentence and losing their baby, they fought to the U.S. Supreme Court and won. “We are standing on the shoulders of the freedom riders, the courageous lawyers and all who sacrificed so much to get the right to vote,” she concluded. “If for nothing else, for their sake, we owe it to them to register and educate folks, advocate and vote.”

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Exploring RBG’s Jewish connecton The Chayei Sarah speaker at Gates of Prayer in Metairie will be journalist Dahlia Lithwick, Oct. 29 in the social hall. A dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. Lithwick, senior editor at Slate.com, has covered the U.S. Supreme Court since 1999. She will give a virtual presentation about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her connection to her Jewish identity. Lithwick has appeared regularly on numerous news networks, and had a weekly legal commentary on National Public Radio. A Livestream will be available. The Shabbat service will follow at 8 p.m. October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

agenda Beth Shalom and B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge will hold “The More Things Stay the Same, The More They Change: Understanding 2021’s Version of Antisemitism,” with speaker Larry Brook, editor of Southern Jewish Life. The program will be at the Jefferson Avenue location on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. Gates of Prayer Sisterhood in Metairie will hold a Gates Gifts Chanukah Bazaar, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gates Gifts is the sole remaining congregational gift shop in New Orleans. The bazaar will feature Chanukah gift items including menorahs, dreidels, children’s gifts, books, wrapping paper, dog toys and more.

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Walter Isaacson, bestselling author of “Leonardo DaVinci” and “Steve Jobs,” will present his most recent work, “The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race,” on Oct. 26 as part of the Cathy and Morris Bart Jewish Cultural Arts Series at the Uptown Jewish Community Center. In the account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a revolution that will help cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies, Isaacson looks at both the potential, far-reaching consequences and the moral implications of their gene-editing technology. The 7 p.m. event is free and open to the community. A reservation is required, as are masks and proof of vaccination. On Nov. 4, the Cathy and Morris Bart Jewish Cultural Arts Series at the Uptown Jewish Community Center continues with the screening of “Incitement” at 2 and 7 p.m. “Incitement” follows the year leading to the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, from the point of view of the assassin. The film won the Ophir Award for best film and best casting. The screening is free and open to the community. A reservation is required, as are masks and proof of vaccination. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Moishe House in New Orleans will hold Cocktails for a Cause, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The event will also focus on sustainable, zero-waste cocktails and how to be more sustainable in eating practices. The New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women announced that it will hold its 125th anniversary celebration on April 9 at the Higgins Hotel. The annual Turkey Train at B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge will be on Nov. 14. This is the 13th year for the religious school’s program to benefit St. Vincent de Paul. One may contribute by Nov. 7 for the purchase of turkeys at $20 each, or deliver frozen turkeys to the drive-thru the morning of Nov. 14. Because of space, no turkeys can be accepted before then. The train will be from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Matherne’s Market downtown is providing a discount and free delivery for purchased turkeys. Temple Sinai in New Orleans will have Havdalah Halloween, 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 on the front steps. Jewish Community Day School in Metairie will have a virtual Open House for pre-K to sixth grade, Oct. 24 at noon. BBYO is returning to in-person events with a Delta Region fall conference, Nov. 5 to 7 at NaCoMe Camp in Pleasantville, Tenn. The weekend is open to members in grades 9 to 12. Blue Star Camps in Hendersonville, N.C. announced it will have a 75th anniversary weekend for alumni and family camp over Memorial Day in 2022. JNOLA and Tribe will hold Ballots and Boos, a pre-election Halloween party, Oct. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Twelve Mile Limit. Vaccontinued on page 41

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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No power for a while? Chabad in Metairie emptied the freezers to feed the neighborhood through parking lot cookouts

Forget Covid plans: Ida rearranged Rosh Hashanah While Hurricane Ida did not flood out the New Orleans area after making landfall on Aug. 29, it still caused a fair amount of damage in the community. But the main issue for many was the lack of electricity for a couple of weeks after the hurricane, after feeder lines into the city were severed. Some who rode out the hurricane decided to leave afterward, because it was projected that the power would be out for three weeks. While that meant most Rosh Hashanah services would have to be conducted elsewhere, many areas started receiving power just after Rosh Hashanah, around Sept. 8 or 9, so Yom Kippur services could be held “back home.” After the hurricane passed, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans began mobilizing a response to the needs, working with the Jewish Federations of North America to open a national fundraising mailbox and receiving a JFNA grant to fund emergency relief. The Federation has also posted a list of resources on its website, pointing to various forms of disaster relief and other post-hurricane assistance. The Federation also held a webinar on insurance and disaster relief, with Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon, and Rebecca Holmes, lead staff attorney for the Disaster Lawyering Project. Case managers from Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans have been assisting community members in accessing resources. Need-based relief grants have been available for those in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Mississippi Coastal areas, up to $250 in the first round to reimburse expenses incurred. Additional resources may be available based on funding. Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana serves as a “safety net” for the community, said Executive Director Bobby Garon, working with Federation and JFS. “Federation takes the lead, gathering the details of loss from our institutions,” and works with the national Federation system. Garon said the first layer of relief comes from national disaster funds, and then JEF steps in as possible. New Orleans-based Jewish Children’s Regional Service also has done outreach to families with children affected by Ida through an emergency aid program.

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Immediate Aftermath Twelve hours after the hurricane left, there was a huge cookout in the parking lot at the Chabad center in Metairie. With the power out, rather than have freezers filled with items that were for planned communal High Holy Day meals spoil, they cranked up the grills, let people know to drop by, and they started feeding the October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community neighborhood. The Chabad families started working the phones and driving around where possible, responding to whatever needs they uncovered. In one case, an elderly couple was driven to a hotel two hours away to be reunited with family members. On Sept. 3, in coordination with Chabad in Houston, the Uptown Chabad had a free gas giveaway. Another shipment of gas came via Chabad of Mobile, with help from the Mobile Area Jewish Federation and Mobile Jewish Family Services. Kosher Palate in Dallas prepared and shipped 500 sets of four meals for Rosh Hashanah, coordinated with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans for distribution on the day leading up to the holiday. The shipment included generators that were donated by Israel’s Consulate in Houston, which serves Texas and Louisiana. Tana Valen with the Federation was among those handing out the meals the morning of Sept. 6. She commented that two surprise volunteers showed up to help and worked hard throughout the morning. When she asked the volunteers later, one of them told her “we aren’t Jewish, but we have friends who are, and we’re doing this for them.” Lindsay Friedmann, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League’s South-Central office, had planned to ride out the storm since she was 39 weeks pregnant and wanted to give birth in New Orleans. After Ida passed, she and her husband, Josh, had a little cleanup to do at their home, but as it became apparent that the power would be out for an extended period, they headed out with their two daughters. Their destination was Winter Park, Fla., where they connected with Jay Plotkin, father of her close friend Carly Plotkin — and an OB/GYN. They arrived on Aug. 31, and William Friedmann arrived on Sept. 4 at AdventHealth Winter Park.

Cross-Country Rosh Hashanah

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Most institutions had minor damage, but on occasion, first looks can be deceiving. At Temple Sinai, water entered the walls of the sanctuary and damaged ceilings in the foyer. Ellen Cohen, president of Temple Sinai, said “we have significant damage both inside and outside of our original Temple building.” The congregation will waterproof the sanctuary’s exterior, seal the stained glass windows and patch and paint the sanctuary’s plaster walls. The congregation was almost finished with a million-dollar replacement of its HVAC and electrical systems, and will likely need to add to its capital campaign.

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Meals from Kosher Palate in Dallas were distributed at the Goldring/ Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus just before Rosh Hashanah

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

For Temple Sinai, Rosh Hashanah services were streamed with Rabbi Daniel Sherman in Tulsa and Cantor Joel Colman at Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El. Shir Chadash in Metairie had water damage in its building and in the parsonage. With the work of a large team, the synagogue dried out the building and mitigated the water damage, enabling Yom Kippur services to be held in person and virtually. The congregation’s Rosh Hashanah services originated from many locations, with Rabbi Deborah Silver leading from Dallas, David Kaplinsky from Los Angeles and shofar blower Josh Sands in Houston. Gates of Prayer held virtual services, but for those in the area who wanted to hear a live shofar service, Philip Gaethe made the rounds after the virtual service. Gates of Prayer Rabbi Emeritus Robert Loewy led a Rosh Hashanah service at Congregation Emanu El in Houston for a couple dozen evacuees who were in the area. Rather than using the traditional Rosh Hashanah Torah reading, he did the section from Genesis where light is created over the waters, relating it to the power outage in New Orleans. For several New Orleanians, the setting in Houston was familiar, as they had held Rosh Hashanah services there in 2005 after the levees failed. Power was restored at Gates of Prayer on Sept. 8, and the Torahs that had been moved to a taller office building for safekeeping were returned to the ark on Sept. 10. For Rabbi Katie Bauman of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, Rosh Hashanah services were also in a familiar setting. Temple Israel in Memphis, where Bauman had been an assistant rabbi and associate rabbi for 10 years before becoming senior rabbi at Touro, hosted the streaming service for Touro members. Cantor Kevin Margolius and Rabbi Todd Silverman also headed to Memphis to take part in the service, which included one of the Torahs from Touro. Bauman opened the Rosh Hashanah evening simulcast by talking about the summer of preparation due to Covid — what would be permissible in terms of in-person attendance, how to stream, local media partners for broadcasts… then “we could never have known this night would be like this. But we are grateful.” As an Orthodox congregation, Beth Israel in Metairie doesn’t stream services, but there were some in-person gatherings for Rosh Hashanah, including a “Hits of the High Holidays” singalong and shofar blowing that Rabbi Yosef Goldwasser from Chabad of was also done virtually Mobile prepares to bring a load of gas to just before the first eve- New Orleans ning. Services at Beth Israel resumed on Sept. 10 as power was restored the previous day. A couple of upper windows were blown out at Anshe Sfard in New Orleans, but the power outages caused the cancellation of Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat services until Yom Kippur. Services were held for Rosh Hashanah at Chabad Uptown, and both indoors and outdoors at Chabad in Metairie. Northshore Jewish Congregation cancelled Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, instead offering virtual services led by Rabbi Linda

Steigman from Temple Adath Joseph in St. Joseph, Mo. Slater Torah Academy and Jewish Community Day School reopened on Sept. 13, as did both locations of the Jewish Community Center.

Disaster Response Areas outside of New Orleans, particularly toward the coast, were particularly hard hit by wind and flood damage. A team from Nechama Jewish Response to Disaster arrived in Louisiana on Sept. 9 to assess needs and join forces with the International Orthodox Christian Church in St. Charles Parish. Their first project was clearing a huge tree blocking access to a home in New Orleans, where the woman’s daughter is a New Orleans police officer. The team had to pause as Tropical Storm Nicholas passed through the area, then continued damage assessment. Wind damage took off sections of roofs, some houses were completely destroyed, while others suffered flooding leading to mold growth. Nechama continues to welcome volunteer groups as they work to help people in the region. A group from the Federation salvaged personal belongings and did demolition work on a house. A group of 18 members of the Orthodox Union’s National Conference of Synagogue Youth spent two days with Nechama, assisting three families. Nechama is coordinating groups of volunteers, and welcomes fundraising efforts to aid their work in Louisiana. This time last year, Nechama was at the other end of the state, working in the Lake Charles area following Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Torahs rededicated after vandalism at Monroe’s B’nai Israel A Ruston woman was arrested by Monroe police after she broke into Temple B’nai Israel and vandalized the sanctuary and rabbi’s office, including removing the Torahs from the ark and scattering them around the room. The vandalism was discovered on Sept. 15, the morning leading up to Kol Nidre. Kristine Gail Woodall, 23, was charged and booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center, where she was continuing to be held on a $60,000 bond. According to the arrest record, “once inside she did go to the main sanctuary, where she did throw and scatter several religious artifacts including several Torahs and silver vases across the stage.” Rabbi Judy Caplan Ginsburgh said the incident did not appear to be antisemitic, but appears to be a mental or drug issue. At the Oct. 8 Shabbat service, where the congregation had a rededication of the scrolls, she said that she had watched video footage from the security system. “When I watched the video of her interactions with the Torah scrolls, it was like watching a child undressing a doll and being curious about what was underneath the beautiful clothing.” When Ginsburgh arrived at the building on Sept. 15, “I was shocked at what I saw,” said some brief prayers over the scrolls and wrapped them for the Yom Kippur services. She added that there were no tears in the scrolls, and nothing was taken from the building, though the arrest report noted Woodall had removed a box of light bulbs and a box of trash bags. In 2016, Woodall was among three arrested in the murder of Dylan Poche, a Northwestern State University student. As an accessory, she was charged with aggravated assault with a hammer, and criminal obstruction of justice. Gay Nell Barth, president of the congregation, said the board is taking the matter very seriously and working on ways to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community

Low-key dedication Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience does mezuzah hanging as opening celebration on hold

The Latest News… www.sjlmag.com

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience was originally going to hold a grand opening weekend at the beginning of October, but the Covid resurgence led to the celebration being postponed. While a celebration will eventually take place and “everyone will be welcome to come back to New Orleans and come back to see the MSJE when they feel safe doing so,” Board Chair Jay Tanenbaum said, “we can’t wait to dedicate our museum until that occurs.” Instead, on Oct. 1, a small group of board members and guests held a brief mezuzah hanging ceremony. How brief? Museum Director Kenneth Hoffman opened the event by saying “for all of you who spent many hours in the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, good news, this is going to take less than 10 minutes.” Tanenbaum said the ceremony was “a proud and happy moment for us” after five or six years of intense planning “to create what has now become a reality.” The museum opened to visitors on May 27, detailing 300 years of Jewish history and involvement in the South. The $10 million capital campaign was launched in 2017, and in 2019 the museum’s collection was moved from Mississippi, the home of the previous MSJE, to New Orleans. The mezuzah, a blown glass piece by local artist Andrew Jackson Pollack, was affixed inside the entrance, with Hoffman starting the process with the top screw, then passing the “ceremonial screwdriver” to Tanenbaum. Also taking turns to turn the screws were vice-chairs Morris Mintz and Rusty Palmer, followed by board members Keith Katz and Deborah Lamensdorf Jacobs. The museum has a mezuzah wall where donors who give at least $1800 can send in a mezuzah of their own for display, and receive a unique glass mezuzah from Pollack. Hoffman ended the ceremony “with prayers of thanksgiving” and invoked “the blessings of God,” followed by the Shehecheyanu. On the day originally scheduled for the family celebration, the museum hosted a virtual Groove and Shmooze with Glenn Hartman, an acclaimed accordion player who is part of the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars. The museum is open daily except for Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jay Tanenbaum passes the “ceremonial screwdriver” to Morris Mintz 14

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

A Louisiana legislator isn’t backing down in the face of criticism for a tweet comparing vaccine mandates to the rise of Nazi Germany. On Sept. 15, hours before the start of Yom Kippur, Rep. Danny McCormick, who has been outspoken against mask and vaccine mandates during Covid as a violation of personal freedom, posted an image of President Joe Biden with a Hitler mustache, and the caption “Zee needle in zee skin or Zee executive orderz again.” The Anti-Defamation League’s New Orleans office stated that “comparing life-saving vaccines to the architect of the Holocaust is vile.” Noting that the “ignorant and odious meme” was posted just before Yom Kippur, the ADL called on him to apologize and for the Louisiana House to hold him accountable. In a statement to Southern Jewish Life, McCormick said as context, several of his relatives served in World War II “and one gave the ultimate sacrifice… his life.” He said the meme he shared “was meant to compare Biden’s recent tyrannical actions to the portion of history when early Hitler similarly worked to erode the people’s personal liberties. Due to lack of resistance to that early attack on liberty, many lives were lost including some of my own family.” He added, “Hopefully we can all agree that personal freedom is the bedrock of American values.” This isn’t the first social media controversy for McCormick, who represents the northwestern corner of the state. On Sept. 2, 2020, he tweeted a version of “Freedom for Humanity,” a mural by a left-wing American artist that depicted bankers drawn as Jewish stereotypes sitting around a table that resembles a Monopoly board, with hunched-over naked figures propping up the board on their backs. The mural sparked a controversy in Britain, where it was painted on a London wall. Jeremy Corbyn, former head of the Labour party who was ultimately ousted partly because of rampant antisemitism in the party under his watch, had defended the mural. McCormick was criticized by the ADL and fellow Republicans for the antisemitic image, and removed it the next day. Earlier that summer, McCormick said government “needs an enemy” and those who opposed wearing a mask during the pandemic “will be soon painted as the enemy. Just as they did to Jews in Nazi Germany. Now is the time to push back before it is too late.” At the time, he said he wasn’t talking about Jews, but of demonization of people, “not that this is equal to the Holocaust.”

Essay contest for teen girls explores antisemitism experiences

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Hadassah Magazine and JGirls Magazine are holding an essay contest for teen girls. The essay is to describe a time “when antisemitism affected you and how you responded.” Possible topics include incidents at school, with a friend or relative, or in the community. The contest is open to self-identifying Jewish girls in the United States and Israel, and deadline is Nov. 5. Entries are to be between 600 and 800 words. Official rules are at hadassahmagazine.org.

2021 Impact Report jfsneworleans.org

@jfsnola October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Mission

Our Board

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans (JFS) is a social service agency dedicated to preserving, strengthening and enhancing the well-being and selfsufficiency of individuals and families at every stage of life. Jewish Family Service is a constituent agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and a community impact partner of United Way of Southeast Louisiana. President David Dulitz, MD

History Jewish Family Service was initially created when the Jewish Children’s Home closed in 1948. JFS became a separate organization, with its own 501 (c)(3) status in 1976, and opened its doors to people of all faiths in 1982. JFS now serves Greater New Orleans individuals and families regardless of race, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. Services are available on a sliding-scale fee based on household income. Through the years, the scope of the agency has increased tremendously. JFS helps the community strengthen the family and the individual to reach their full potential through various programs and services including: providing individual and group counseling, educating our young people about depression and suicide prevention, promoting independence for the elderly, providing case management, and assisting in adoptions.

Zoom Board Meeting

First Vice President

second Vice President

Debbie Pesses

Bradley Bain

treasurer

secretary

Ashley Merlin Gold

Rochelle Adler Effron

immediate Past President

Betsy Threefoot Kaston Harriet Aguiar-Netto

Henry M. Rosenblat

Gilbert N. Braunig

Julie Schwartz

Sue Daube

Louis Shepard

Joshua Friedmann

Rabbi Deborah Silver

Susan Green

Rabbi Todd Silverman

Stephanie Kaston

Ben Swig

Sara Kottle

Hallie Timm

Allison Kupperman

Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin

Melinda Mintz

Lynne Wasserman

Sanford Pailet, MD

Ginny Wise

Gail Pesses

Ian Zlatkiss, MD

Jill Plotkin

(504) 831-8475 l jfs@jfsneworleans.org l jfsneworleans.org l 3300 W. Esplanade Ave, S., Suite 603, Metairie, LA 70002 2

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

I 2021 Impact RepoRt

Letter from the President & Executive Director

Dear Friends, When we last addressed you, in our 2020 Impact Report, our community and our country found themselves in a bleak and confusing position. Anxiety, stress, and fear troubled our clients as well. It is always darkest before the dawn, but we made it through that dark night with your support and our dedicated team. JFS remains vigilant in our efforts to keep our community safe and healthy; we also graciously acknowledge the progress made and the privileges afforded us. In the devastating wake of Hurricane Ida, our evacuated staff mobilized quickly to launch a financial assistance program as well as facilitate access to resources and information. Early access to the vaccine meant our staff could get back to the office quickly and safely. We might occasionally grumble about technology, but its miraculous capabilities ensured JFS maintained our services and programs. We were present and accessible to our clients during a time of enhanced stress and additional layers of vulnerability. Our COVID-19 Tzedakah Relief Fund, which raised over $50,000 last year, provided essential assistance and services to families on the brink of desperation. As vaccination rates rose, so did our hope! Clients returned to our offices- with masks! Staff meetings moved off the screen and back into the conference room. Despite everything, we served more people, grew our team exponentially, and launched new programs to service our community. In addition to maintaining our signature programs and services, we: Founded the JFS Community Education Series, a free quarterly workshop Initiated our first Shabbat dinner fundraiser, which provided free Shabbat meals to clients Launched a redesign of our website Raised nearly $30,000 for the Bruce Levy Memorial JFS Passover Food Basket Program, a recordbreaking amount for the over 25-year-old program Received over $13,000 on GiveNOLA Day 2021, more than doubling contributions from previous years Established This Week at JFS, a weekly eblast with jokes, tips, and news Grew our unaccompanied minors program Introduced the JFS Legacy Fund at the Jewish Endowment Foundation We continually evaluate our place as our community’s social safety net to improve how we bring wellbeing and self-sufficiency to our friends and neighbors who struggle. We are still in awe of the support our agency and clients received this past year. Your support during this challenging time was critical. We are evermore energized to work in the image of those who came before us and continue our work as community caretakers. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Here for the decades ahead,

David Dulitz, M.D.

Roselle M. Ungar, CFE

BOARD PRESIDENT

ExECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2021 Impact RepoRt

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Strengthening Our Bonds Services for the Jewish community combat isolation, fulfill our traditions and values, and guarantee inclusion to everyone in our community.

families and individuals made ends meet through our Financial Resource Center

“I never feel forgotten because of this community.”

recipients received emergency assistance through our COVID-19 Financial Assistance program, funded by the Jewish Endowment Foundation, and the Hurricane Laura Jewish Community Relief Fund

302

community members joined the global Seder table with the Bruce Levy Memorial JFS Passover Food Basket Program

community members accessed affordable transportation through Catch-A-Cab More than 8 million adults age 50 and older are affected by isolation.The health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. AARP. (n.d.). About Isolation. Retrieved from https://connect2affect.org/about-isolation/.

Most studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Citation: Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice, Muller et al . Mayo Clinic Proceedings, December 2001.

“Having JFS as part of our support system has brought so much security and relief to our family. We are building a sustainable future for ourselves with their help.” 4

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

I 2021 Impact RepoRt

Nurturing Growth and Enriching Lives Our holistic care meets the particular needs of each client, and prepares them for self-determination and self-sufficiency.

“The tools I learned through counseling have transformed every aspect of my life. This is a new beginning for me.”

clients discovered communal catharsis in our Therapeutic Groups 60% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment. The State of Mental Health in American 2021. Mental Health America. Accessed June 2021.

Suicidal ideation among adults has increased by 460,000 people.

187

clients developed and healed through JFS Counseling Services

The State of Mental Health in American 2021. Mental Health America. Accessed June 2021.

“It’s hard to ask for help, but JFS knew what we were going through as parents. There is more love and laughter in our household thanks to their help.”

122

clients found understanding and transformative aid with our Case Management Program

313

clients assisted via our Information & Referral Services

128

new citizens found sanctuary and independence in JFS Victims of Human Trafficking & Immigrant Services 2021 Impact RepoRt

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Educating the Next Generation We’re providing teens and mental health professionals innovative and transformative education with life-saving results.

“The dedicated team at JFS is such a great model for entering the social work and counseling field. They really address the needs of the whole person.”

270

mental health professionals educated through our Continuing Education Workshops

1354

attendees learned how to preserve and enhance their well-being in our new Free Community Education Workshops

Students & Gatekeepers learned life-saving information through Teen Life Counts

masters-level student interns developed professional skills in our Behavioral Health Training Center.

“My friends and I had a really hard year. TLC gave us the tools to talk about what’s going on and know when to reach out for help.” 6

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

I 2021 Impact RepoRt

Preserving Dignity and Independence Our compassionate services ensure meaningful living for people of every age and life stage in our community.

“JFS is an advocate for my choices and well-being.”

About two-thirds of all people 65 or older need assistance with at least one “daily living” activity such as bathing or preparing a meal. 4

4 LeWine, M.D., Howard, “Two-Thirds of seniors need help doing one or more daily activities,” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Health Publishing, 13, December 2013, https://www.health.harvard.edu/ blog/two-thirds-of-seniors-need-help-doing-one-or-more-daily-activities201312136942#:~:text=A%20 new%20study%20suggests%20that,of%20bed%20or%20a%20chair.&text=Researchers%20 interviewed%20more%20than%208%2C000,about%20activities%20of%20daily%20living.

clients prepared for the future of their family with JFS Senior Care Planning

382

clients gained independence and security for themselves and their family through Lifeline Roughly 36 million older adults suffer a fall each year – resulting in 32,000 deaths. Moreland B, Kakara R, Henry A. Trends in Nonfatal Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2012–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:875– 881.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6927a5

“Lifeline has reduced my stress levels significantly! I love that I can enjoy mobility and peace-of-mind.” 2021 Impact RepoRt

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Support JFS Become a Friend of JFS

Make a general or designated gift during our Friends of JFS campaign. No matter what program you support during this September through December annual campaign, your support enables JFS to offer affordable social services, such as counseling, case management, senior services, and more.

Make a Tribute Gift

Honor or memorialize a loved one or community member by supporting one of our programs or services in their name. Such meaningful expressions of affection and respect make a material difference in the lives of our clients.

Give a Stock Donation or Israel Bond Donation

Donate Your Vehicle

Jewish Family Service accepts charitable donations of vehicles through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), with sale proceeds benefiting JFS. CARS manages all automobile (or other motor vehicle) donation details, which provides you a hassle-free and tax-deductible way to support JFS. Find more information at jfsneworleans.org/donate

AmazonSmile

Make shopping meaningful by making your Amazon purchase through the AmazonSmile portal. Go to Smile.Amazon.com and select Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans. Amazon will donate a portion of the proceeds from select purchases to JFS.

Updating your portfolio? Consider donating shares of stock or an Israel Bond to benefit JFS. Call (504) 8318475 for more information.

Thank You Volunteers!

JFS recruits dedicated volunteers who work closely with staff to ensure the best care for the people we serve. Volunteer opportunities are available for the following programs: Lifeline, Teen Life Counts (TLC), Bikur Chaverim, and Bruce Levy Memorial JFS Passover Food Baskets. interested in giving your time and talents? Call (504) 831-8475 or send an email to jfs@jfsneworleans.org.

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

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JFS Partners in CARING Giving Society The JFS Partners in Caring Giving Society is in recognition of the magnanimous support from our compassionate partners. The purpose of this society is to recognize individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations whose cumulative generosity has made a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals and families at every stage of their life. This listing is based on donor records beginning in 1990.

Visionary

($50,000+)

Baptist Community Ministries The Bissinger-Timm Family Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Adele K. Cahn* / Adele Cahn Catch-A-Cab Designated Fund The Cahn Family Foundation; James & Marie Cahn, Richard & Vivian Cahn

Chai Guardian

Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Pratt-Stanton Manor Fund Sara Matile Schwarz* Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust United Way of Southeast Louisiana The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Woldenberg Foundation Lynell D. Zelenka Foundation

($18,000 - $49,999)

Anonymous Cathy & Morris Bart Burkenroad Foundation Sue & David Daube Deena Gerber GPOA Foundation Hancock Whitney National Bank Mrs. Sandra P. Heller* Dr. & Mrs. Harris Hyman, III Dorothy S. Jacobs Hon. Jacob & Vicki Karno Jeffrey & Betsy Kaston

Benefactor

Covenant House Ferber Family Foundation of Houma Goldring Family Foundation Shirley* & Robert* B. Haspel Albert & Rea Hendler Charitable Trust Institute of Mental Hygiene Jewish Endowment Foundation Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kullman Fran* & Jonathan Lake Renee & Rusty Levy Bruce Levy Family for the Benefit of Jewish Family Service Donor Advised Fund Anne P. Lowenburg MAZON: a Jewish Response to Hunger John & Susie Meltzer Julie Grant Meyer Max Nathan, Jr.*

Sanford Pailet, MD Julie Schwartz & David Radlauer RosaMary Foundation Henry & Susan Rosenblat Joshua L. Rubenstein Madalyn & Robert Schenk Sara B. Stone* Harold Wainer Carol Wise Marshall* & Julie Wise Oreck Frances Sontheimer Wolff

($10,000 - $17,999)

Anonymous Shelly & Benay Bernstein Burkedale Foundation Ella West Freeman Foundation Leslie & Jonathan Fawer Alan & Diane Franco Jeffrey & Debbie* Friedman Bobby Garon & Robin Levy Marcy & Mike Gertler Dr. Dov & Margery Glazer Howard & Susan Green Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Guevara John Haspel & Amy Gainsburgh-Haspel Mrs. Jimmy Heymann* Andrea & Jeffrey Huseman Julanne Isaacson The Estate of Irwin Isaacson 2021 Impact RepoRt

Jefferson Parish Medical Society Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Hugo & Lis Kahn Jeno & Monica Kalozdi Scott Kisner Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries Andrea & Terrence Lestelle Walter & Laura Levy Mr. Richard S. Margolin Jan & Henry Miller New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness (NOAAHH) NGCF Donor Advisory Fund Dr. Bennie P. Nobles Sarah & Joe Pasternack Jr. Percival Stern Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Gary Rich

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

The SAC Foundation Saratosa-Manatee Jewish Federation Jonathan & Debbie Schlackman Dana & Louis Shepard William & Jane Sizeler Robert & Pamela Steeg The TJx Foundation, Inc Touro Infirmary Foundation Patty C. & Randy J. Ungar Roselle & Stanley Ungar Bernard Van der Linden Ellie & Bruce Wainer George, Helen, & Harold Wainer Foundation Hon. Miriam Waltzer & Mr. Bruce Waltzer Art & Martie Waterman Guy & Dale Williams 9

Our 2020-2021 Supporters $50,000+

Baptist Community Ministries Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans U.S. Committiee for Refugees & Immigrants

$25,000 - $49,999

The Cahn Family Foundation; James & Marie Cahn, Richard & Vivian Cahn Covenant House Goldring Family Foundation Institute of Mental Hygiene Jewish Endowment Foundation Woldenberg Foundation

$10,000 - $24,999

Marjorie Bissinger Adele Cahn Catch-A-Cab Designated Fund Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries Bruce Levy Family for the Benefit of Jewish Family Service Donor Advised Fund Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund The SAC Foundation Sara Matile Schwarz*

$5,000 - $9,999

Ferber Family Foundation of Houma GPOA Foundation The Greater New Orleans Foundation Estate of Francine M. Lake NGCF Donor Advisory Fund Harold Wainer

$2,500 - $4,999 Evelyn & Billy Burkenroad Foundation Hon. Jacob & Vicki Karno Joshua L. Rubenstein

$1,000 - $2,499

Anonymous (2) Franco Family Donor Advised Fund 10

Art & Martie Waterman Sandy* & Edward* M. Heller Burkedale Foundation Alan & Diane Franco Dr. & Mrs. Harley Ginsberg Jeffrey & Betsy Kaston David Kerns Andrea & Terrence Lestelle John & Susie Meltzer Julie Grant Meyer Max Nathan, Jr.* Lee & Sanford Pailet Dr. & Mrs. Gary Reiss Dr. & Mrs. Gary Rich Henry & Susan Rosenblat Madalyn & Robert Schenk Stephen & Nancy Timm Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America JNOLA

$500 - $999

Anonymous Diane Africk Ms. Harriet Aguiar-Netto Allan* & Nancy Bissinger Mr. Joel Brown Jon Kerry Clayton Mark & Rochelle Effron Leslie & Jonathan Fawer Ms. Dana Goldstein Barbara Greenberg Andrea & Jeffrey Huseman Dr. & Mrs. Wynn Kapit Dr. & Mrs. Rene Koppel Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kullman Molly Levitt Renee & Rusty Levy Ellen & Stephen Manshel Anna Mantell Margarete & Leopold Mendler Charitable No. 2 Donor Advised Fund Dr. Bennie P. Nobles Louise Obletz Leon & Debbie Pesses Jill & Lee Plotkin Family Fund

M.E. Polson Provident Aid Designated Fund Julie Schwartz & David Radlauer Edie & Paul Rosenblum Stanley Schwam Dr. Ivan Morton Sherman Harold & Sue Singer Dr. & Mrs. Richard Spector Robert & Pamela Steeg Hon. Miriam Waltzer & Mr. Bruce Waltzer James Weiss & Audrey Browne Ginny Wise & Kevin Wilkins

$250 - $499

Ryan & Madison Albright Jack & Phyllis Alltmont Sabina Altman Dale Aronson Stephanie Berault Allan & Nikki Berger Bonnie & Harris Blackman Gilbert & Jody Braunig Dr. & Mrs. Aden A. Burka David & Sue Daube Sammie & Ruth Davidson Donor Advised Fund Mrs. Cynthia Davis David & Kristen Dulitz Emily & Evan Dvorin Ms. Foley Kessler Professor Robert Force Mrs. Mollie Fried Kelly Fulton Vadim & Michele Gelman Deena Y. Gerber Mr. & Mrs. Jan Glade Charles & Cathy Glaser & Family Donor Advised Fund Ashley Merlin Gold Donor Advised Fund Howard & Susan Green Jeff & Linda Green Devvie Harris John Haspel & Amy Gainsburgh-Haspel Susan & William Hess

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

I 2021 Impact RepoRt

Mitchell J. & Susan Hoffman Mr. Benjamin Horwitz Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Jacobs Richard & Lisa Karlin Mr. & Mrs. Brian Katz Celia L. Katz Ralph Katz Mr. Scott Kisner Steve & Pat Klein Betty & Ira Kohn Foundation Susan B. Kohn David & Laura Kulick Betty & Harry Lazarus Richard Ledet Drs. Walter & Laura Levy Marrero Land & Improvement Association Mr. & Mrs. Sanford R. Maslansky Marjorie McCants Robert Mintz National Council Of Jewish Women John Pizer Lisa Preminger Dr. Molly Pulda Joyce & Sidney Pulitzer Nita-Joan Sams Barbara Samuels Mrs. Jessica Schur Dana & Louis Shepard Rabbi Deborah Silver William & Jane Sizeler Stephen L. & Caroline W. Sontheimer Fund Lisa Suennen Dr.* & Mrs. Henry Threefoot Patty & Randy Ungar Roselle & Stanley Ungar Lee Vorisek Richard Wilkof June Williams Moises & Martha Yoselevitz Marilyn Pailet Zackin Dr. Ian Zlatkiss

$100 - $249 Anonymous (5)

2021 Impact RepoRt

Ms. Marjorie Aaron Mrs. Tiki Axelrod Bradley & Daniela Bain Joan Banks Mr. Scott Barron & Ms. Consuelo Ducas Cathy & Morris Bart Sue Barton Morgan Beckerman Marc & Angela Beerman Mr. Robert Belfort Matthew Berger Marvin & Marilyn Bernstein Shelly & Benay Bernstein Clara Berry Jennifer Bigelow Ms. Jacqueline Bishop Brandon Bissinger Joe & Lee Blotner Robert Boggio Debra Bresler Caroline & Bob Brickman Daniel & Melanie Bronfin Ms. Judith Brown Vivian & Richard Cahn The Bob & Mindy Caplan Giving Fund Stanley Caron Po Chou Dr. Marvin Clifford, PhD, LCSW Lynn Coatney Dr. Gerald Cohen Alexander & Sarah Cohen Congregation Anshe Sfard Congregation Beth Israel Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Cooper Gregory & Joan Cox Julia Cross Ms. Gaynor Cunningham Joshua & Giselli Danzig Richard & Ina Davis Mr. & Mrs. Ed Dennis Mr. Alan Director Martin Drell, MD Dr. Lester & Dee Dee* Dulitz Mr. Itay Edry Justin Ehrenwerth

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Drs. Kenneth & Melanie Ehrlich Mr. & Mrs. Alan Emerman Mr. & Mrs. Martin G. Falchook Michael S. Fawer Dr. & Mrs. Elliot Finkelstein Michelle Foa Irina Foxman Mrs. Lynette Fried Marc & Susan Friedman Reuben & Marlene Friedman George & Laura Fuhrman Judith Gainsburgh Bobby Garon & Robin Levy Joshua & Carli Gertler Mike & Marcy Gertler Hon. Robin Giarrusso Mr. John E. Gilcrease Dr. Leonard Glade Mr. Martin Gold Dr. & Mrs. Mel Gold Sandra Chass Goldsmith Rabbi & Mrs. David Goldstein Mark Goldstein & Peggy Usner Diana & Sean Greenberg & Lauren & Devin Wakeman Leon Greenblatt, II Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Gutter Mr. & Mrs. Edward Halpern David Harwood Lori Hendler Lisa & Mike Herman Mike Herrmann Daisy & Ron Heumann Captain Rick Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Terry Jacobson Mimi Jalenak Andrew Janian Jason Hintersteiner New Orleans Jewish Community Center Jay & Andrea Joseph Hugo & Lis Kahn Nathan & Carrie Kanter Neal & Nancy Kaplan Ellen Katz Charel W. Katz 11

Financials 14%

cHanGe in net assets Change in Net Assets

$476,151

Beginning of Year (1/1/2020)

$2,432,728

End of Year (12/31/2020)

$2,908,879

Contributions $262,350

33%

20%

Grant Income $629,021

Program service fees $376,601

totaL reVenue $1,739,296

assets Cash and Cash Equivalents

$517,921

Accounts Receivable

$13,953

Grants Receivable

$85,603

Unconditional Promises to Give

$17,500

Prepaid Expenses

$7,748

2% United Way $36,836

11% Miscellaneous $213,480

7% 12%

Funds Held by: Jewish Endowment Foundation

$2,298,452

Israel Bonds

$6,000

Property and Equipment, Net

$12,744

TOTAL ASSETS

$2,959,921

LiaBiLities and net assets

Investment Income $236,109

69%

Liabilities Accounts Payable

$13,786

Accrued Vacation

$25,421

Other Liabilities

$11,835

TOTAL LIABILITIES

$51,042

Program service fees $974,967

net assets Undesignated

$552,094

Board Designated

$2,298,452

FunctionaL exPenses $1,518,003

16% Fundraising $199,790

TOTAL WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS $2,850,546 TOTAL WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS

$58,333

16%

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$2,201,585

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

G&A $187,441

$2,908,879

2021 Impact RepoRt

Jewish Federation Allocations $141,606

I Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Our Staff *Former JFS Staff as of June 30, 2021

Executive Staff Roselle M. Ungar, CFRE Executive Director Rachel Lazarus Eriksen, LCSW-BACS* Director of Clinical Services Michelle Beard, LCSW, MBA Director of Clinical Services and Intern Program Supervisor

Zoom staff meeting

Teen Life Counts

Julie Finkelstein Steinhaus Director of Business Services

Maria Monahan, LCSW* Teen Life Counts Northshore Coordinator Ashleigh Hite, LMSW Teen Life Counts Program Manager

Clinical Staff Stephanie Crowder, LPC, LMFT Licensed Therapist Fran Dinehart, LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Case Manager Mario Figueroa, BSW Bilingual Program Officer Charlotte Dillon Bilingual Case Manager Andrea Garcia, BS* Bilingual Case Manager Cinthia Sostenes Millan Bilingual Case Manager

Lauren Jones Teen Life Counts Administrative Assistant Jay Lapin* Teen Life Counts Coordinator

Communications & Events Haley Hemenway Sledge Communications & Events Coordinator

Administrative Staff Cortni Randazzo Client & Donor Services Specialist

Camila Sobral Multilingual Case Worker

Teri Conrad Administrative Assistant

Vanessa Villalobos, LMSW Bilingual Case Manager

2020-2021 Behavioral Health Training Center Interns

Margaret Winston, LPC JCDS Therapist

Kayla Bradly, Max Balakoff, Colin Foret, Claire Kohne, Langley Laporte, Andrew Prejean, Mya Sherman, Virginia Williams, Laura Winkles

Senior Services Jan Miller Lifeline Office Support Staff Kim Nonenmacher Senior Services Manager Harrison Wool, RTA Lifeline Field Support Staff

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

I 2021 Impact RepoRt

community

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CDC Covid study of summer camp relies on Ramah experiences The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a paper on what it takes to have a successful summer camp experience in the age of Covid — and the study was entirely about the experiences of nine Ramah camps this summer. Ramah is the summer camp arm of Conservative Judaism. Among the nine camps in the study was Ramah Darom in north Georgia, which draws most of its campers from the Southeast. The study, “Multicomponent Strategies to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission — Nine Overnight Youth Summer Camps, United States, June-August 2021,” showed the importance and effectiveness of prevention strategies to reduce or eliminate Covid transmission in overnight camps. The study concluded that “Implementation of high vaccination coverage coupled with multiple prevention strategies is critical to averting Covid-19 outbreaks in congregate settings, including overnight camps.” Most camps did not operate during 2020 because of the pandemic, Ramah included. A few camps, including Blue Star in North Carolina, did operate using multiple prevention strategies and had successful summers, while camps with “relaxed prevention strategies” that relied on one Covid test before arrival but did not engage in follow-up testing experienced outbreaks. Helping the situation in 2021 was the availability of a vaccine, though by the time its use was approved for ages 12 to 16 in mid-May, it was too late to start the process for some first-session campers, as camp would start before the three-week interval for the second shot had passed, and camps were not set up to administer the vaccine. Still, according to the study of 7,173 staff members and campers at nine Ramah camps, 99 percent of those age 17 and over were immunized as seven of the nine camps required it for all staff and campers age 17 and up, while 88 percent of those ages 12 to 16 were fully immunized before arrival. Regardless of vaccine status, each camp had “multiple prevention strategies,” and over the course of the summer, a total of nine Covid cases were found. In none of those cases was there Covid transmission to others in the camp. All Ramah camps asked campers to social distance from anyone outside their families for two weeks before camp, and at drop-off had to bring evidence of a negative Covid test from within the previous 72 hours. Campers started the summer in pods involving their own bunks, while Covid testing continued regularly. Hand-washing was emphasized, and scheduling reworked to limit encounters between pods at meals and daily

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community prayer sessions, and sick call was spread out by pod. Over 38,000 rapid tests were administered, with 21 positive results. Of those, 15 turned out to be false positives when PCR tests were given as a followup. As the summer continued, pods were gradually combined, eventually to include entire age groups. Three camps were able to expand to one camp-wide pod. Of the nine Covid cases, three were in vaccinated staffers and six were unvaccinated campers ages 8 to 14. One staffer case was detected during staff week, before campers arrived. The other two were from exposures during off-camp activities between sessions. While staffers leaving camp had distancing guidelines to follow, after the off-camp exposures, offcamp activities were cancelled. One full-summer camper also was exposed at an off-camp activity between sessions. Two others were asymptomatic but identified in pre-arrival screening, while three others were identified by screening during the first eight days of camp, and only one was identified as symptomatic. All those testing positive either went home or were isolated according to local health department guidance, and all potentially exposed contacts were tested. At Ramah Darom, the one positive test was in the age group called Shoafim, and toward the end of camp all members of that age group sported sweatshirts with the camp’s “Stay Positive, Test Negative” slogan and “Shoafim Quarantine 2021.” “This project highlights the amazing team members who work at all of our camps and the unbelievable thought, planning, and effort put into making the summer of 2021 an unbelievable success,” said Mark Drexler, who headed the research team and is medical chair for Ramah Wisconsin. Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, national director of the Ramah Commission, said the CDC has already contacted the Ramah team several times to provide guidance to boarding schools, based on Ramah’s successes this past summer. Ramah credits the local teams for each camp, “colleagues and partners at other Jewish camping movements,” the Foundation for Jewish Camp, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the American Camp Association. “We hope and pray for an end to this public health crisis and look forward to another wonderful and safe Ramah summer in 2022,” Cohen said.

“Jew” or “Geo”? Concern expressed over Arkansas senator’s remarks An Arkansas state senator is saying he was mis-heard by many people after remarks about Afghanistan seemed to include a slur. On Sept. 30, the Arkansas Senate was discussing a resolution to condemn the Biden administration’s mishandling of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan earlier in the month. Sen. Mark Johnson, in urging passage of the resolution, called the Taliban a “heinous regime,” then added “We like to go back 75 years and talk about how bad the Nazis were. Here in our own lifetime we have seen horrid things come out of that country.” Many watching the debate heard his next sentence as “you don’t have to be a Jew-politician to know that Afghanistan is a place with a lot of problems.” Aaron Ahlquist, Southern division policy director for the Anti-Defamation League, called that remark “perplexing” as well as “derogatory and deeply offensive,” and that Johnson should apologize for the “Jew politician” remark. When asked by the Arkansas Times, Johnson responded that “What I said was ‘geopolitician.’ The context should make that clear. I just recently heard that some misheard what I said… I’ll try to speak more clearly in the future.” Ahlquist also focused on the Nazi comparison, saying that “while the Taliban’s history is characterized by horrific human rights violations… comparisons to the Holocaust, a singular event that led to the murder of six million Jews and millions of others, is wrong and inapt.” The ADL has been pushing back on a wave of Holocaust analogies being made in public discourse, especially around Covid mandates. 32

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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Breman Museum celebrates 25 years with a lot of Chutzpah In 25 years, the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta has collected a lot of stories about Southern Jewry, many of which involve more than a bit of chutzpah. For its anniversary, the museum has assembled a collection of Georgia and Alabama Jewish artifacts and the stories behind them for the exhibit “History with Chutzpah: Remarkable Stories of the Southern Jewish Adventure, 1733-Present.” The exhibit, which opened on Sept. 26, is curated by Jane Leavey, founding director of the museum, and Sandra Berman, who started building an archive for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta before there was even the idea for the museum. The exhibit was supposed to start with a gala anniversary celebration on Sept. 19, but that was postponed indefinitely because of the spike in the Delta variant of Covid. In addition to rescheduling the gala, the museum will plan numerous virtual and in-person events connected to the exhibit, which is expected to be up for three years. To promote social distancing and crowd control, the museum is currently requiring advance tickets, including for members. The museum is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with two time slots. The first slot is for arrival between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but visitors must depart by 1 p.m. The second slot is for 2 to 4 p.m., with similar guidelines. Museum staff will disinfect from 1 to 2 p.m. The museum is also open by appointment

1920s-era sign from Temple Beth-El in Lanett, Ala. The congregation closed in 1977.

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Wednesdays to Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. “Museums are important because without them, without archives, people can be forgotten,” Breman Executive Director Leslie Gordon said. “Jane and Sandy were insistent even before the founding of the Breman Museum that these stories be captured and treated with respect, for the insights and lessons that they would provide in the future. Now with ‘History with Chutzpah’ important chapters of our past come alive once again.” The exhibit begins with a video presentation in what looks like a private library. As Leavey explained, many modern archives began as collections of curiosities gathered by wealthy individuals in their travels. A portal in the library leads into the main exhibit area. Leavey said that while most previous exhibits centered on a cohesive theme, the only request for this exhibit was that it highlight artifacts in the archives. The items eventually fell into six sections — Courage and Conformity, Hope and Survival, Success and Loss, Patriotism and Perseverance, Benevolence and Community, and Murder and Mayhem. “It’s not a linear exhibition, each section really stands on its own,” she said. The Enfield rifle-musket used by Selma’s Jacob Rothschild when fighting for the Confederacy in Vicksburg is displayed. After the war, he was an early advocate for women’s suffrage. There is also documentation from Temple Israel in Macon, Ga., which declared in 1862 that members who were off fighting for the Confederacy were exempt from membership dues until the end of the war. Another section tells about Elliott Levitas,

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community who served five terms in Congress, returning to Georgia after being defeated in 1984. In 1999, he represented a tribal elder of the Blackfeet Nation in a class action lawsuit against the U.S. government for mismanaging Indian lands and funds, eventually procuring a $3.4 billion settlement. Another section tells the story of Huntsville’s Margaret Anne Goldsmith and her life-long relationship with her childhood caretaker, Cora Barley. Reflecting on the complexities of race in Southern society, Goldsmith regarded her as family, but the exhibit includes “Cora’s plate,” on which she ate her meals, because Black help were generally not allowed to use the family’s china. An Alabama example of chutzpah was Rabbi Benjamin Goldstein, who spoke out in defense of the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black young men falsely accused of raping two white women in 1931. His advocacy led to his departure from Montgomery’s Temple Beth Or. A poster in the exhibit advertises a “civic meeting” on the case, in Birmingham’s First Baptist Church on Graymont, with Goldstein as the event chair, and “white citizens are invited.” Another item shows the editorial in the Southern Israelite, decrying his removal from Beth Or.

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Leavey said one story that stuck with her was that of Eva Judith Weisz Moray, who arrived in New York as a child after World War II. The exhibit has a bag she wore around her neck, with personal documents and a plea to help reunite her with her mother. The Success and Loss section has a range of businesses, many of which succeeded and then disappeared. Items in the exhibit include the Rosenbush Victor Salve for Sores, made in Demopolis in 1900. A photo shows Felix Shevinsky peddling wares by wagon in Birmingham around 1910. In downtown Montgomery, the Steiner-Lobman building is still a landmark. The exhibit details how the company was founded in Pine Apple in 1871, moving to Montgomery in 1891. Steiner-Lobman Dry Goods was sold to an investment group in 1969. The exhibit includes a pair of “Polly-Alls,” denim overalls that were popular among civil rights activists who had little time to do laundry and needed something that could stand up to the rigors of the struggle. Also displayed is are 1950s product boxes from American Candy Company in Selma, and the philanthropic endeavors of Louis Pizitz, whose 13-store chain was headquartered in Birmingham.

Famous stories include the lynching of Leo Frank, and the story of Isidor Straus of Talbotton, Ga., whose wife, Ida, refused to stay on a lifeboat as the Titanic was sinking, preferring to go together with her husband. Straus and his brother were owners of R.H. Macy and Co. in New York. They were portrayed in the 1997 film “Titanic.” Emma Mayer is profiled. A Natchez native, she married Samuel Ullman and moved to Birmingham, where she was instrumental in founding what would become Hillman Hospital, the first in the region to serve the indigent and Black patients. Albert Steiner is also profiled. In 1919, the president of Atlanta Brewing and Ice Company died of cancer, which had already claimed his wife and son. He left $500,000 to establish the Steiner Cancer Clinic at Grady Hospital, which became a model for similar facilities nationally. Many have marveled at how such an important figure could be so little-known today, Leavey noted, saying that when they were researching his story, they spoke to a lot of people who worked at the clinic. “Nobody knew who he was.” The exhibit also contains what may be the oldest bagel in history. At 16, Sam Greenblatt

community lied about his age when he went off to fight in the Spanish-American War in 1898. His mother sent him off with a supply of homemade bagels, and when he returned a year later, one bagel remained. That bagel has been passed down for six generations. A baby bassinet in the exhibit was made by German POWs in 1944, who were being held at Camp Clinton in Mississippi. The bassinet was made from a wooden barrel for Raymond Harris, an Army Medical Corps surgeon whose son was born that year. The exhibit also deals with battles against the Klan, and bombings of The Temple in Atlanta and B’nai Israel in Gadsden. The idea for the museum and archive came from a 1983 exhibit organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, “Jews and Georgians: A Meeting of Cultures, 1733-1983.” Leavey said they got items from all over the state, memorabilia from defunct congregations, businesses, family materials, photographs and ceremonial objects. Much of the material arrived in shopping bags. The exhibit was at Emory University, and afterwards “we had to give everything back because we didn’t have a historical society or archive.”

A matching grant from the National Historic Records and Publications Commission, and a seed gift by Erwin Zaban led to the formation of the Joseph and Ida Pearle Cuba Community Archives and Genealogy Center, starting with a closet at the Federation, and focusing on Atlanta. Among the first collections were the Federation’s records, and materials from Rabbi Harry Epstein, who served Ahavath Achim for over half a century. In the early 1990s, William Breman, president of Breman Steel, made a cornerstone gift toward the establishment of a Jewish museum. The Breman Jewish Heritage Museum opened in the Selig Center in time for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The archive started collecting from the rest of Georgia, and “as the years went by we realized nobody was collecting in Alabama, so we started.” In 2015, the Breman acquired the Savannah Jewish Archives, solidifying itself as the repository for Jewish history in the state. As part of the exhibit, there is a reading room where guests can tell their own stories, “and we hope this exhibit will inspire people to tell us their stories and give us their stuff, to keep the archives going.”

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community N.E. Alabama Cherokees hold ceremony honoring Israel

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On Sept. 25, the Northeast Alabama Cherokee held a ceremony in Guntersville to establish a relationship with Israel. The tribe presented a resolution, unanimously passed by the Tribal Council, recognizing the “sovereign Jewish Nation” of Israel, with Jerusalem as its “eternal undivided capital.” In addition, “we vow our full support in the pursuit of the peace of Jerusalem and the Nation of Israel by which ever means may be necessary.” The event, centered around a potluck lunch, included expressions of solidarity with the Jewish community and comparisons to the experiences of native tribes in North America. Chief Larry Smith began his remarks by noting that “if there is a people that can understand how the Jews feel, it’s the Cherokee,” which received an “Amen” from the audience. “We have chosen to identify with a people as a people,” he added. Seth Penn, deputy representative of the Red Wind Tribal District, said “the nation of Israel has a lot in common with the Cherokee people — they have been removed from their homeland, came back and have to fight for their homeland.” “Some historians even argue we can find our DNA roots in Israel,” Penn said. “I‘m not saying that’s true.” Smith echoed that, saying “are we the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel? Debatable.” But “there are so many of our ceremonies, so many of our celebrations that coincide with Jewish traditions and the Jewish holidays.” The first white settler in what is now Montgomery was Jewish, Abraham Mordecai. He traded with the local tribes and was so convinced of their Jewish origin that he kept addressing them in Hebrew, hoping to receive a similar response. Smith said Penn brought the idea of the resolution to him about four months ago. While he was receptive to the idea, the fact that Penn “was getting a great response from the Israeli side” made him more determined to do it. Laura King, co-founder of the Alabama-Israel Task Force and former national chair of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Network of small Jewish communities, made a presentation on behalf of the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta. King expressed “deep apologies” from Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon for not being able to attend. “She really wanted to be here today, it was really important to her,” but the event being on Shabbat in the middle of Sukkot made it impossible. In a letter to the tribe, Sultan-Dadon wrote “Your friendship and support, beautifully expressed through this proclamation from the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, are invaluable and greatly appreciated.” She added, “Like the Cherokee Tribe, the Jewish people have an undeniable and unbreakable bond to our native land. During centuries of dispersion, the Jewish people never severed nor forgot its bond with our historic homeland.” Smith said it is a tremendous honor to have recognition from Israel, “when we can’t even get other Cherokees to recognize us.” He added that only the State of Alabama, which declared nine tribes in a 1984 legislative act, recognizes them. He added that most people don’t realize that the tribes benefitted greatly from Martin Luther King and the civil rights battles, because the Civil Rights Act included provisions for native tribes. Before then, “you weren’t allowed to go further than eighth grade,” and in Louisiana, for example, the first Native American to graduate high school did so in 1967. “It has been a struggle, and it is still a struggle.” In comments that the Jewish community can identify with, Smith said

community

Laura King presents Chief Larry Smith with a letter from Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon he often gets requests from people who want to be identified as Cherokee, and asks them “do you really know what you are asking?” One may have an identity card in their pocket, but “your name is on a roll… it hasn’t always been popular to identify with a certain people, with your name on their roll.” He noted that at one point, the U.S. did not want the Cherokee to be around, and “the ones they couldn’t kill, they were going to assimilate us.” But “we’re still here. We’re growing and we’re stronger.” Smith said while the Jews had Hitler, “we had Andrew Jackson. Hitler admitted he read Andrew Jackson’s book on how to get rid” of the native tribes. He added, “I firmly believe (Jackson) planned to kill them all, and the political atmosphere didn’t let him.” Penn said the message of “declaring our sovereignty as a tribal nation in support of another sovereign nation” is “very significant, even more so than we may realize.” John Buhler, AITF co-founder, called it “a deeply meaningful gesture… we live in a time when so many voices remain silent, but the Cherokee tribe has risen to acknowledge the truth” about Jerusalem and Israel. He said Israel and the Cherokee are both “indigenous people who have a very deep sense of a God-given responsibility to steward sacred lands.” Two years ago, Buhler was part of a 50-person trip to Israel from Alabama, and the group visited the Jordan River at the spot where Joshua brought the nation into the land. He presented Smith with a small jar of dirt from that site. As “honored guests” representing the Jewish community, King and this reporter were presented native blankets and necklaces. Citing Genesis 12:3, which was quoted on the inside of the resolution’s presentation folder, Smith said the Jews “are still God’s people. If you are an evangelical Christian or a Hasidic Jew, you have to understand God entered a covenant with Abraham, and when God enters a covenant it can’t be broken.” There’s no denying God “has his hand on the country of Israel,” as “any other country that size would have ceased to exist 60 years ago.” Pastor Patrick Penn of The Dwelling Place in Huntsville, and father of Seth Penn, noted that as a Zoom call was taking place among tribal leaders to discuss the resolution, Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker was October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

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in Oxford at a gathering of First Nations. As chief justice, Patrick Penn said, Parker “stood up and repented to the First Nation people for the decisions that were made” in the past. Patrick Penn added that “I don’t believe there are such things as coincidences, I think things are guided by Providence,” and Parker’s declaration was related to the discussion of support for Israel the Cherokee was having at the exact same time. Adding to the web of ties with Israel, Parker’s wedding was held in Israel, and his wife, Dottie, sang “Hatikvah” at the inauguration of Alabama Governor Fob James in 1995. Seth Penn said he hopes this type of recognition spreads to other tribes, as he found almost nothing to compare with when researching online. Some Palestinian activist groups have tried to target native tribes for support, with a narrative about being displaced from their lands. In 2008, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana signed a friendship agreement with Israel. They participated in a trade mission to Israel in 2011, signing an agreement to become the exclusive U.S. distributor for Israeli startup Aya Natural’s products. Recently, they have become a sponsor of Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans events. The Coushatta, who were forced out of what became Georgia and Alabama, operate a casino resort in Kinder. Smith said the resolution is not the end of a process, but the beginning, and he hopes to deepen the relationship. “We are going to keep this going,” he said. “We laid the groundwork to a great friendship between these two countries.” He added, “I hope this will grow into something where we can work with members of the Jewish community who would like to be with us, celebrate with us and have a good time.”

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

The 5782 calendar from United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism features Barry Ivker on the cover, reading Torah at the “Praying With Our Feet” Rosh Hashanah service at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Services were not being held at Temple Beth-El in September 2020 due to Covid restrictions, so the outdoor “walking service” had several stations with different parts of the service, enabling congregants to socially distant.

New Orleans

Pascal’s Manale

Fall Dining Guide

1838 Napoleon Ave. (504) 895-4877

Southern Jewish Life

English Tea Room

734 E. Rutland Street Historic Downtown Covington (985) 898-3988

A New Orleans favorite since 1913, Pascal’s Manale is a melting pot of Creole and Italian styles, known for its raw oyster bar, famous BBQ shrimp and thick, juicy steaks.

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

Kosher Cajun

Ole Orleans

3519 Severn Avenue, Metairie (504) 888-2010

1232 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd (504) 354-2449

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.

A tribute to the historic legacy of New Orleans, the richly-flavored wines are locally handcrafted, with signature products for all budgets. Shop online or in numerous local stores.

Acropolis on Freret

Gita Pita

4510 Freret Street (504) 309-0069

The decor, menu and wine selection at Acropolis On Freret is a dining adventure that features only the best, freshest and most authentic dishes from the Mediterranean region.

2530 Canal St. Inside RedZone (504) 766-6519

Gita Pita offers fresh, delicious and authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a fast casual setting. The homemade Saj bread sets Gita Pita apart from the others! Take out or dine in our 40-seat space.

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

Southern Jewish Life

Fall Dining Guide Baton Rouge, Birmingham

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

777 L’Auberge Ave. Baton Rouge lbatonrouge.com

Limitless flavors await at L’Auberge Baton Rouge. Choose from our four dining experiences to satisfy your cravings — Red Lotus, 18 Steak, Bon Temps Buffet, and Stadium Sports Bar and Grill.

Cahaba Breads

6993 Gadsden Highway, Trussville (205) 508-3089

A wine retail shop and wine bar in the heart of Homewood, with wines from all over the world and at all price points. Wine tastings held every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and come see the new outdoor patio.

Evelyn’s

2031 Cahaba Road, Birmingham (205) 202-4760

Baked goods made the old fashioned way, with fresh stoneground organic wheat flour or organic unbleached white flour. Also specializing in bagels and challah.

With an atmosphere that evokes your grandmother’s kitchen table, Evelyn’s Southern Fare give classic home cooking an elevated twist, with everything made from scratch and sourced locally.

Katie’s Plates

Pies and Pints

katiesplates.com 113 12th Street North, Birmingham

Finding it hard to find the time to make healthy meals? Katie’s Plates in Birmingham, Huntsville and Nashville delivers gourmet meals, with changing menu items each week, from single to family size. 40

Homewood Classic Wine Co. 1831 28th Avenue So., Ste 110, (205) 871-9463

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

125 20th Street So., Birmingham 7216 Eastchase Parkway, Montgomery

Enjoy an array of craft beers on tap (including many Alabama selections), specialty pies, delicious salads and more. Our signature pizzas are hand-stretched and baked directly on a stone hearth.

community >> Agenda

continued from page 8

cines will be required to attend. Costumes are welcome, those who are dressed in costume will get a free drink and participate in a costume contest. The first part of the program is an overview of the Nov. 13 ballot, and will be available virtually. Moishe House New Orleans will hold Spooky Shabbat, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m., featuring themed challah from Serena Bakes Bread and a Halloween-themed dinner. Costumes encouraged. Email moishe.house.nola@gmail. com for the address. Touro Synagogue in New Orleans is resuming two popular community offerings, on Zoom. News and the Jews will be on Oct. 20 at noon and meet three additional times by April, and Jewish Medical Ethics returns on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., with two more discussions next spring.

Gyro • Shawarama Falafel • Hummus Fresh Saj Bread

2530 Canal Street Inside Red Zone

One Block from the VA Hospital

(504) 766-6519

The Jewish Medical Student Organization will be hosted by Tulane Chabad Grads for Shabbat dinner on Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Rivkin home. Guest speaker will be Karen Weissbecker. All new and returning medical students are welcome. Reservations requested. Conexx, the Atlanta-based America Israel Business Connector, is a sponsor of the Nov. 17 and 18 First Global USA Business Forum, 27th Georgia Tech Global Business Forum and 12th USA India Business Summit. Sessions will include manufacturing competitiveness, the future work force, cyber security, the future of technologies in several fields, therapeutics innovation and the global mobility of talent. More information for the virtual event is available at usaindiabusinesssummit.com.

Advertise in Southern Jewish Life Call Jeff Pizzo, (504) 432-2561

Lilly Pollack is organizing a glass recycling drop-off with Glass Half Full at Touro Synagogue in New Orleans. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Nov. 12. At the same time, the congregation is also collecting diapers of all sizes and baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, blue tarps, and water for the Broadmoor Food Pantry, and non-perishable food items for Second Harvest. The rescheduled Morris Bart Sr. Lecture Series event, “Out for Queer Blood: The Murder of Fernando Rios and the Failure of New Orleans Media and Justice” will be on Oct. 18 at 11:45 a.m. at the Uptown Jewish Community Center in New Orleans. Clayton Delery will speak of his acclaimed book on the subject. Space is limited, reservations are required by Oct. 14. A boxed lunch is available. There is no charge for members, $10 for non-members. October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community >> Commentary

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Vote on Nov. 13! Early Voting Ot. 30-Nov. 6

42 October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

cont. from p. 3

Rep. Rashida Tlaib railed against the bill, saying it enables “war crimes and human rights abuses and violence.” She added that the funding would be for “weapons apartheid Israel used in a crisis it manufactured when it attacked worshippers at one of the most holiest Islamic locations, the al-Aqsa Mosque, committing again numerous war crimes.” That “attack,” of course, has been thoroughly debunked, as Israeli police were responding to rioting on the Temple Mount, and coordinated Palestinian attacks on Israelis. She also completely mischaracterized the purpose of Iron Dome. Developed in partnership with the U.S., Iron Dome is a defense system. It has no offensive capabilities. Its sole purpose is to shoot down missiles that have been fired toward civilian population centers (because of the expense of Iron Dome interceptors, if an incoming missile is projected to hit an open field, the system doesn’t bother shooting it down). Because of Iron Dome and its 90-plus percent success rate, there were just 13 deaths in Israel attributed to the fighting. In Gaza, about 260 deaths were reported, the majority of which were enemy combatants. People like Tlaib also forget that Hamas missiles aren’t just aimed at Israeli Jews. Once the rockets go up, who knows where they will land — and about 700 of them actually landed in Gaza, resulting in many of the civilian deaths that were blamed on Israel. And once the rockets enter Israel, they can’t identify who is an Israeli Jew, an Israeli Arab or a foreigner. Among the death toll in Israel were a woman from India and two men from Thailand. Arab homes were shelled, the same as Jewish homes. Anti-Israel groups point to the low number of casualties in Israel versus among the Palestinians as a sign of immorality by Israel. Disproportionate, they say. Well, the Nazis lost roughly 5 million soldiers in World War II, while the U.S. and Britain each had around 400,000 military deaths. Guess that gives the Nazis the moral high ground. But, one may protest, there are so many civilians killed in Gaza by Israel, so the analogy doesn’t work. Actually, it makes the case even stronger. First, Israel takes great pains to avoid civilian casualties, so the percentage who are civilians that are tragically killed is far lower than in almost every other conflict on the planet. In places like Syria, those numbers make barely a ripple in comparison. Yet Tlaib and her cohorts wail about a non-existent Israeli “genocide” against the Palestinians, while anti-Israel groups like Human

community Rights Watch say it is Israel that is committing war crimes. Second, Hamas and Fatah fighters aren’t in uniform. Israel isn’t fighting a conventional army. So many who are reported to be civilian casualties by the Western media are then identified by various terrorist factions as their people — not innocents. And third, if the argument is against the targeting of civilians, the rockets fired from Gaza are specifically to kill civilians. There is no targeting of Israel’s military capabilities. Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties — on both sides — while Hamas seeks the largest civilian death toll possible, to grab headlines and sympathy. Israel isn’t going to simply play along. It cannot be overemphasized that while Israel builds systems to protect civilians, Hamas not only targets civilians but uses their own civilians as human shields to protect their armaments. The more who get killed by Israeli airstrikes, the better it is for their propaganda. For all the talk about crowded, open-air prison of Gaza, there are a lot of open areas in the Strip. There is no true need to place rocket launchers next to apartment buildings, unless the goal is to create more propaganda deaths of civilians. A strong Iron Dome actually prevents deaths in Gaza. Imagine that there were no Iron Dome, and the over 1500 rockets that actually were headed toward populated areas in Israel reached their targets. The casualty count would have been much higher, as would the pressure on the Israeli government to take much stronger measures to protect its citizens and stop the barrage. Perhaps a much broader campaign of air strikes to take out the launchers. Perhaps even a ground invasion of Gaza to clean up the situation. No matter which option was chosen, the result would be a far higher death toll — on both sides. Iron Dome gives Israel the luxury of absorbing a few punches and being able to surgically and deliberately eliminate the threat. Iron Dome may not be deployed in Gaza, but it sure helps save lives of Gazans. A similar illogical effort was made by Rep. Ilhan Omar in her quest to keep Israel from being able to procure precision-guided munitions. Those munitions enable Israel to take out immediate threats without harming bystanders — such as being able to target a particular office in a building, rather than having to take out the entire building. Anyone doubting Israel’s commitment to precise targeting need only look at the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020 while he was driving in Iran, with his wife seated next to him. A non-precision strike would mean taking out his car, also killing his wife, and possibly bodyguards in other cars around him. The Mossad used a remote control machine gun to fire 15 shots, killing him — and not even hitting anyone else. While Hamas targets Israeli civilians of all backgrounds and continues its vow to eliminate the world’s only Jewish state, Israel tries to minimize civilian casualties on both sides. The Squad’s blind hatred of Israel causes them to take positions that can only result in more death and destruction. All in the name of peace and justice, of course. They don’t like the fact that Iron Dome means Israel can protect itself and make Hamas’ weapons mostly ineffective. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was even in tears after the Iron Dome funding passed and, feeling the dynamics of a possible Senate run next year, she voted “present” instead of “no.” How tragic, Israel will be able to defend itself! Though they may not articulate it this way, their actions are clear: The Squad would rather see more dead Jews — and dead Palestinians. And that is just one of the great tragedies of the anti-Israel crowd, whose policies would only make life worse for everyone in the region, especially the Palestinians that they profess to care so much about.

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Lawrence Brook, Publisher/Editor October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life 43

Pascal’s Manale

Pasta Alfredo

1838 Napoleon Ave. New Orleans 504.895.4877 pascalsmanale.com

Ingredients 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 cup Romano cheese Salt/pepper to taste 6 oz fettuccine pasta (cooked) Instructions: Reduce heavy cream over medium heat Add butter, cheese and salt/pepper Reduce until thick Add pasta until heated

Insalata Manale Ingredients: 3 cups mixed greens 2 tomato wedges 2 artichoke hearts 2 pepperoncinis 4 kalamata olives Mozzarella cheese (desired amount) 1/4 cup olive salad (such as Boscolli) Instructions Mix salad greens with olive salad Place salad mix in bowl Garnish with tomato, artichoke, pepperoncinis, kalamata olives and cheese

Pascal’s Manale Restaurant By Lee J. Green Tradition and family remain firmly entrenched at the core of Pascal’s Manale Restaurant — a New Orleans institution for 109 years “The restaurant has been through changes and overcome obstacles,” said General Manager Carmen Provenzano. “We owe its longevity to having wonderful food, environment and treating everyone like family.” In 1913, Frank Manale bought a corner grocery store at Napoleon Avenue and Dryades. From the beginning, the restaurant was a family affair. Manale’s nephew Pascal Radosta tended bar and when Manale died in 1937, Radosta took over management of the restaurant. Many years later, Pascal added his name to the restaurant. They built a reputation on traditional Italian cuisine mixed with some Creole staples. The restaurant stayed in the family through five generations until November 2019, when it was acquired by another well-known, beloved and involved New Orleans family, the Brandts — Jessica and the late Ray Brandt. Provenzano, the Brandts’ nephew who had been working for 14 years at Pascal’s Manale, became the GM. Then Covid hit a few months later. “We have been so grateful for the dedication of our team here,” said Provenzano. “Many of them got cross-trained and helped out in various continued from page 45 44

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

community >> Rear Pew

continued from page 46

because two of Passover’s eight days now fall in Tishrei. For those who observe Passover for seven days, some say it should be only five days in Nisan for the same reason. Others say that Passover is diluted by this mixture, so we must eat matzah for 10 days — two in Tishrei and eight in Nisan. At this point, the numbers in the debate start to get complicated. Thus, while it’s not generally celebrated, known, or documented, Rosh HaPesach is quietly credited for requiring so many Jews to become accountants. Chanu b’Av uses the presents presentation of Chanukah to create eight days of gift-wrapped matchmaking with the pseudo Valentine’s Day of Tu b’Av. Shemini Ha’Atzmaut combines Shemini Atzeret and Yom Ha’Atzmaut — Israel’s Independence Day — to mark people’s independence from eating in the sukkah after eight days. However, that doesn’t excise the existence of Lag b’Sukkot, which commemorates the 33rd day of eating in the Sukkah because nobody’s bothered to take it down yet. Finally, Shavuat Torah quite logically combines the celebration of the giving of the Torah — Shavuot — with the celebration of restarting the Torah each year — Simchat Torah. Because no matter how hard the rabbis tried, sometimes their decisions just made sense. Doug Brook really isn’t trying to get rabbis to never speak to him again. Even the ones who died centuries ago. Listen to the new Rear Pew Mirror podcast at anchor.fm/rearpewmirror or on any major podcast platform. For past columns, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/. For exclusive online content, follow facebook.com/rearpewmirror.

>> Pascal’s Manale

continued from page 44

areas. We became very proficient at curbside and take out (they do delivery through a third party). I’m proud of how we have been able to push through and come out even stronger.” Masks and proof of vaccination are required for dining in. Provenzano said a few items on the menu have been around since the beginning, such as the spaghetti and meatballs. The restaurant has kept its core and tradition, while adding dishes over the years. “Our focus is to honor the past, but always keep it fresh,” he said. The menu includes kosher-style specialties including Insalata Manale, pasta alfredo (recipes below) veal picatta, veal marsala, filet mignon, strip steak, pasta alfredo and bread pudding. Provenzano said they are happy to customize an order to make it kosher-style. “We have a wonderful Jewish community here in New Orleans and we really appreciate their support. For those who don’t keep kosher, Pascal’s Manale started gaining national notoriety for their BBQ shrimp dating back to the 1950s. They also have quite a reputation for their gumbo and fresh oysters. “We’ve been named the best oyster bar in the city several times, and no one in the nation does oysters like New Orleans,” said Provenzano. Signed photographs of many locally and nationally known celebrities, athletes and politicians line the walls at the restaurant. The Manning family visits there regularly. Pascal’s Manale can accommodate 225 people including its three private dining rooms. The restaurant is open for dinner on Tuesdays, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Friday, Saturday dinner and it is closed Sunday and Monday.

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life 45

rear pew mirror • doug brook

When holidays collide

"Reform starts with a clear vision.

I understand exactly how to plow through policy barriers and effect lasting change on our system."

Janet Hays has spent her entire career as a voice for change. She is working to reform how mental illness is handled across the state and in the City of New Orleans. Janet will bring that expertise to the Office of the Sheriff. ȹ

A Fighter for people

Founder of Healing Minds NOLA

An Advocate for alternatives to incarceration

Community Leader and Problem Solver

"I understand what it's like to have no system that can help a loved one in crisis. That's what I pledge to change."

What New Orleans

Needs: ȹ

Safety

Accountability

Jail reform

Make prisons effective and reduce recidivism

A comprehensive focus on serious mental illness

A change of direction P A I D FO R BY C O M M I T T E E TO E L EC T J A N E T H AYS

October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life

The Hebrew month of Tishrei is packed full of High Holidays, from the first shofar blast of Rosh Hashanah through the final blasted aliyah on Simchat Torah. The rabbis realized that they wouldn’t see their families for most of a month and that people would need to go back to their jobs after these weeks of wanton worship. Since the annual wonton worship of Dec. 24 is still two months away, with only Chanukah in between, the rabbis had to act fast so they could slow down. So, for the month of Cheshvan — immediately after Tishrei — the rabbis decided to take advantage of the Bible lacking major miracles or disasters that month by keeping it free from any additional major holidays. For thousands of years, the rabbis ensured no disasters or cataclysms occurred in Cheshvan, so everyone could focus on what’s most important in their lives each fall: holiday shopping season. However, that didn’t stop everyone. In the recently discovered Talmudic tractate Bava Gump, Rav Telfone, the great communicator, ponders what would happen if holidays occurred at different times of year than they’re scheduled. Rav Telfone’s initial inspiration was that the new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah at the start of Tishrei, near the start of fall, despite the Torah describing the year as starting on the first of Nisan, in the spring month when Japanese automakers were originally expected to announce the new year’s models. Imagine Rosh Hashanah followed two weeks later by Passover instead of Yom Kippur. Or imagine Yom Kippur with Passover four days later. Nobody else wanted to, either. Nevertheless, Rav Telfone’s son and successor, Rav Celfone, cut the cord with tradition. He went a step further than his father by exploring what it would look like to combine holidays from opposite ends of the year. Rav Celfone’s initial inspiration was Yom Kippurim. The combination of the biggest fast day of the year — Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement — with the bigReady to gest holiday for frivolity — Purim — might combine some seem contradictory. Or sacrilegious. Or impossible. It is all of those things. of the Jewish But Rav Celfone’s idea wasn’t his idea. The Torah itself repeatedly refers to “Yom holidays? Didn’t HaKippurim,” predicting the story of think so. Esther well over a thousand years before Haman started his bakery or hat store. The first half of Yom Kippurim is the atonement piece, full of fastidious fasting. The second half is the Purim piece, full of fervent, fermented frivolity. Critics argue that it renders atonement meaningless if immediately followed by drunken celebration, but Rav Celfone contends that it lets people get doing something they’d need to atone for out of the way early, so they can spend the rest of the year being righteous dudes without needing to find a way to sin. Rosh HaPesach confuses more people than even know it exists. As mentioned, the Torah says the new year starts in Nisan — 15 days before Passover begins — yet Rosh Hashanah starts Tishrei, soon after school starts. So, Rav Celfone decided to put a new year’s holiday in both months. Thus Rosh HaPesach occurs twice. For two days in Tishrei, people celebrate what’s known as Rosh Hashanah while eating matzah. In Nisan, people celebrate Rosh HaPesach to mark their freedom from the past year as well as from slavery in Egypt. Some contend that Rosh HaPesach should be only six days in Nisan continued on previous page

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October 2021 • Southern Jewish Life