Southern Jewish Life, New Orleans, October 2022

It is interesting that our nation is finally having a major conversation about antisemitism, thanks to the recent often-perplexing remarks of the former Kanye West, now known as Ye.

And given the fallout over his rants, one can add “former billionaire” to the list.

A polarizing figure in recent years, especially to the most ly left-wing Hollywood crowd as he became increasingly vocal promoting right-wing views, the latest dustup start ed when he wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt at Paris Fash ion Week. In an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Ye then made numerous antisemitic statements, most of which wound up on the cut-ting room floor — which itself has been a source of criticism toward Carlson.

He made numerous conspiratorial statements about Jewish influence, especially in the entertainment world. He said Jared Kushner arranged for peace deals between Is rael and Arab states just so he could profit, and said he wished his children had learned about Chanukah instead of Kwanzaa because Chanukah would “come with some fi nancial engineering.”

He also insisted that he could not be called antisemitic because “black people are actually Jew also.”

He then did his “Death con 3 on Jewish people” tweet, saying “you guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.” And then, the storm began.

Ye did some interviews where he reiterated those themes, even with interviewers like Piers Morgan falsely claiming Ye “makes full apology” for his remarks.

As the controversy grew, Ye basically dared adidas to come after him, as his branded merchandise was reportedly about 10 percent of the company’s global sales. “I can literally say antisemitic s*** and they cannot drop me,” he boasted. Turns out he wasn’t too big to kick out.

continued on page 4

Maccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games

Southern

When you’re too antisemitic for a company that was founded by a family of Nazi support ers…

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.

followers do in the Black community in pro moting self-help and pride.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lawrence M. Brook editor@sjlmag.com

I felt honored to come to Birmingham for the first time and fell in love with not just the city but the people. You have taken Southern hospitality to a new level with your kind and caring approach to the JCC Maccabi Games.

He also lost his Jewish physical trainer of 15 years, and the Jewish academic advisor to a private school he had started in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles company that produced Ye’s “White Lives Matter” shirt — a Jew ish-owned company, by the way — refused to release them after the “Death Con 3” tweet, and the founder suggested Ye visit a Holo caust museum, to which Ye replied that he should visit Planned Parenthood, “our Holo caust museum.”

Similarly, while the white supremacists who attack synagogues in Pittsburgh or Poway re ceive all the attention, deadly attacks aimed at Jews in New Jersey were quickly swept under the rug when it was learned that the attack ers had ties to the Black Hebrew Israelites. Violence against Jews in New York and New Jersey by people of color has been mostly ig nored, or explained away as simply a reaction to gentrification, as if that makes it acceptable.

ASSOCI ATE PUBLISHER/ADVERTISING Lee J. Green lee@sjlmag.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Richard Friedman richard@sjlmag.com

Led by the Sokol and Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful. They partnered with your outstanding staff, led by Betzy Lynch, to make the 2017 JCC Maccabi games a huge hit. I want to take this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalf of everyone involved.

I had just returned from the 20th World Maccabiah games in Israel with a U.S. delegation of over 1100, who joined 10,000 Jewish athletes from 80 countries. Back in July the eyes of the entire Jewish world were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and coaches from around the world being in Birmingham, you became the focal point.

It is not unusual for antisemites to refer to Planned Parenthood as a means to control the Black population through depopulation, often claiming it is a Jewish conspiracy.

Everyone from the Jewish community and the community at large, including a wonderful police force, are to be commended. These games will go down in history as being a seminal moment for the Jewish community as we build to the future by providing such wonderful Jewish memories.

V.P SALES/MARKETING, NE W ORLEANS Jeff Pizzo jeff@sjlmag.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ginger Brook ginger@sjlmag.com

SOCIAL/WEB Emily Baldwein connect@sjlmag.com

PHOTOGRAPHER- AT-LARGE Rabbi Barr y C. Altmark deepsouthrabbi.com

Ye also remarked about how every enter tainer has a Jew somewhere in his contract, and that “Jewish people have owned the Black voice.”

Jed Margolis Executive Director, Maccabi USA

Now, how far can one go in calling that an antisemitic trope when the “esteemed” New York Times, in a lengthy feature on New Or leans’ Preservation Hall, highlights the Jew ishness of owner Ben Jaffe and includes a quote about predatory bloodsuckers taking advantage of black musicians, and instead of pointing out how that is a trope, embarks on an exploration of whether there is something to that charge.

Ye’s remarks have cheered some strange bedfellows. On one side, this month he has been cited approvingly by the Nation of Islam and some Black Hebrew Israelite groups. On the other, White Lives Matter and the Goyim Defense League have also noticed, with the GDL, which does frequent provocative public demonstrations against the Jewish communi ty, adding a “Kanye Is Right” banner to other antisemitic screeds it displays over a Los An geles highway.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rivka Epstein, Louis Crawford, Tally Werthan, Stuart Derroff, Belle Freitag, Ted Gelber, E. Walter Katz, Doug Brook brookwrite.com

Charlottesville

Editor’s Note: This reaction to the events in Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, Master of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Theta Colony at Auburn University, was shared by AEPi National, which called it “very eloquent” and praised “our brothers at AEPi Theta Colony at Auburn University and… the leadership they display on their campus.”

Ye’s claim of being a Jew because of “the blood of Christ” is also perplexing, but it is something found in Nation of Islam and seg ments of the Black Hebrew Israelite move ment. They refer to themselves as the “true” Jews, as opposed to the Jewish community, even dismissing Black Jews. In this theory, the self-identified Jews are imposters using Judaism as a conspiracy against the rest of the world, or to steal the heritage of Blacks. The “white European” narrative of Jewish origins also erases the half of world Jewry that hails from Middle Eastern countries, Jews of color.

Ye has a longstanding relationship with Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, in cluding Farrakhan defending him after con troversial comments about Jewish power in 2013.

Farrakhan has been spewing hatred of Jews for decades, but that has been ignored or minimized because of all the “good works” his

White supremacy has been a cancer on our country since its beginning, threatening its hopes, its values, and its better angels. The events that took place in Charlottesville represented the worst of this nation. Those who marched onto the streets with tiki torches and swastikas did so to provoke violence and fear. Those who marched onto the streets did so to profess an ideology that harkens back to a bleaker, more wretched time in our history. A time when men and women of many creeds, races, and religions were far from equal and far from safe in our own borders. A time where Americans lived under a constant cloud of racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive hate. The events that took place in Charlottesville served as a reminder of how painfully relevant these issues are today.

What

think?

Send your letters to editor@sjlmag.com or mail to P.O. Box 130052 Birmingham, AL 35213

Auburn’s Alpha Epsilon Pi stands with the Jewish community of Charlottesville, and with the Jewish people around the country and around the world. We also stand with the minorities who are targeted by the hate that was on display in Charlottesville. We stand with the minorities of whom these white

supremacists would like to see pushed back into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand with and pray for the family of Heather Heyer, who was there standing up to the face of this hate.

Many have talked about how Ye’s remarks have “mainstreamed” antisemitism. Don’t give him that much credit, it has been main streamed for quite a while now. It has just been minimized or ignored.

Model Carmen Ortega, who has 2.5 million followers, mentioned Ye’s troubles with JP Morgan Chase by saying “Who runs the banks? How many more time (sic) will I be right about these people.” She also told people to “stop voting Pro Israel” and “the truth is Antisemitic.”

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

It turned out that Chase cut ties with Ye be fore this controversy, after Ye lashed out at its leadership.

We recognize the essence of the American narrative as a two-century old struggle to rid ourselves of such corners, and allow those in them the seat at the table that they so deserve. It is the struggle to fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal… endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” We know our work is far from finished, but we know we will not move backwards.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid routinely bashes Israel to her 76 million followers, this year us ing the theme of “Hands off Ukraine. Hands off Palestine.” Her father, who also has a large following, compares Israeli leaders to Hitler and Mussolini, and claims Jews got “twice” in reparations from Germany and Poland while the Palestinians have received nothing.

When men and women, fully armed, take to the streets in droves with swastikas and other symbols of hate, it is a reminder of how relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism are today. It is a wake-up call to the work that needs to be done to ensure a better, more welcoming country. But it should not come without a reflection on how far we’ve come.

Look at the number of Hadid’s followers. Ye had followers in the tens of millions. And then reflect on how there are only 15 million Jews in the entire world.

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.

And in Newark, N.J., “A Little Piece of Ground” was recently added to the sixth grade curriculum. It “explores the human cost of the occupation of Palestinian lands through the eyes of a young boy.”

America was born a slave nation. A century into our history we engaged in a war in part to ensure we would not continue as one. We found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil rights, and embarked on a mission to ensure the fair treatment of all peoples no matter their skin color. Although we’ve made great strides, it is a mission we’re still grappling with today.

How does it do that? By saying Israelis “won’t be happy until they’ve driven us all out and grabbed every inch of Palestine for them selves,” and that Israeli soldiers are “playing with us. They’re the cats and we’re the mice.” Wonder what those students will think of Isra-

America was also born an immigrant country. As early as the pilgrims, many groups and families found in the country the opportunity to plant stakes, chase their future, and be themselves. Few were met with open

continued on page 12

Copyright 2022. 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.

Documenting this community, a community we are members of and active within, is our passion. We love what we do, and who we do it for.

Violins of Hope coming to New Orleans

Four Violins of Hope will be in New Orleans for a series of programs and concerts in January, the week of International Holocaust Remem brance Day.

The Violins of Hope are vio lins that were played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, often in concentration camps. Some of the violinists were mur dered, some survived.

Since 1996, Amnon Weinstein has been restoring the violins, with the goal of having them played around the world, to give voice to those whose voices were lost. His son, Avshi, has joined the effort in their Tel Aviv stu dio.

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and National World War II Museum are working on the programs for the week. A planning committee is chaired by Ana and Juan Gershanik.

Mimi Kruger, managing director for the or chestra, said “we’ve been working for years to try and bring them to New Orleans.” About three or four years ago, she visited with Ana

Gershanik and Arnie Fielkow at the Jewish Fed eration of Greater New Orleans, to try and coor dinate a schedule with the Weinsteins. Then the pandemic hit, and plans were delayed.

Plans are still being finalized, but centerpieces of the week will include two concerts.

An opening reception is planned for Jan. 24 at the mu seum, where the violins will be displayed during the week. Avshi Weinstein will be visiting, and there are plans for musical pieces to be performed on the violins.

Weinstein will lead a spe cial edition of the museum’s Lunchbox Lecture series on Jan. 25, giving a history of the instruments and the restoration process.

The orchestra will perform on Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. Classical violinist Philippe Quint, a multiple Grammy Award nominee from New York, will be fea tured. He usually plays a 1708 Stradivari violin. The concert will feature works by Contre

ras, Korngold, Chaplin, and Shostakovich. A pre-concert talk will be at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the orchestra.

At 10 a.m. on Jan. 26 there will be an open rehearsal, tickets are $10.

There will also be a concert on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at the museum’s Freedom Pavilion, fea turing works by Weill, Mendelssohn, Williams, Chaplin and Morricone. The concert at the mu seum is free, but registration will be required.

On Jan. 27, there will be an International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration at the museum, including a violin performance and a talk with a Holocaust survivor. Details

On Our Cover: While Rosh Hashanah was a celebration at Adath Israel, as it was the first in-person services in two years, it was a time of mixed feelings, as it was Rabbi Harry Danziger’s final time serving as visiting rabbi for the Cleveland, Miss., congregation. Danziger arrived in Memphis as assistant rabbi for Temple Israel just after his ordination in 1964, and became the senior rabbi in 1978. He retired from Temple Israel in 2000, and since then has visited Cleveland monthly and during the High Holy Days.

The South Central Region of the Anti-Defamation League held its Concert Against Hate on Sept. 29. More, page 60.

interesting bits & can’t miss events

will be announced soon.

Touro Synagogue is also planning an event with a quartet from the orchestra on Jan. 27.

The orchestra will also have ensemble visits to eight schools, and educational resources for teachers and students will be available.

Education about the Holocaust is a major component at every community that hosts the violins. “Music is so immediate, and does some thing more than just reading about it can do,” said Kruger.

Sponsorships are available for the week’s events.

In a release, the orchestra stated “We envision a community-wide dialogue through the medi um of music and story to address past violence while promoting tolerance, respect, and under standing for identity and diversity.”

Amnon Weinstein learned the craft of the violin from his father, who moved to pre-state Israel from Lithuania in 1938. Over 400 family members were lost in the Holocaust.

After years of reluctance, he started working on violins that had been in the concentration camps. In many cases, the violin was the key to the owner surviving the Holocaust. In some cases, a German official would take the violinist under his wing so he could perform at parties. Some were played by Jewish musicians who were forced to perform as fellow Jews got off the cattle cars, to make the camp seem more normal to the new arrivals, and hide that it was an ex termination facility.

One violinist, who was 12 years old and whose parents were murdered, became a favorite musi cian of a group of Nazi soldiers. They gave him a German outfit, which he wore to his perfor mances at an officer’s club. He would channel information that he overheard to his partisan group, which fed it to the Red Army. He soon smuggled explosives into the club in his violin case, then one night after his performance, set them to detonate after he left.

A violin in the collection that the Weinsteins show is one that they aren’t going to restore. A man in Washington had purchased that violin and planned to restore it, but when he opened it, he found a large swastika and “Heil Hitler,” and a label stating the violin had been restored in 1936. He gave it to the Weinsteins.

Birmingham hosted the violins in April 2018, as an offshoot of their visit to Nashville. The centerpiece concert, “Dreams of Hope,” at Six teenth Street Baptist Church, where four girls were murdered in a Klan bombing in 1963, be came a documentary that aired on PBS stations nationally.

The violins were in Louisville, Ky., in October 2019, and in several communities around South Carolina this past April.

Weekend of Women’s Voices

Founder of Zioness, terror attack survivor to speak at Gates of Prayer for Chayyei Sarah

For the weekend of Chayei Sarah, Gates of Prayer in Metairie is wel coming two prominent women as speakers during Shabbat.

Amanda Berman is founder and director of Zioness, an organization that was formed to demonstrate that being progressive and being Zionist are not mutually exclusive. Sheri Wise survived a triple suicide bombing in Jerusalem, and speaks about turning anger into forgiveness, and find ing goodness in the worst circumstances.

Berman will speak on Nov. 18, on “Zionism and the Progressive Move ment Are Not At Odds.” There will be a dinner at 6 p.m. and the presen tation at 6:30 p.m. Services will follow at 8 p.m.

With Jewish women and other pro-Israel activists shunned from some progressive movements, and national progressive leaders like Linda Sarsour insisting that a Zionist can’t be a feminist, for example, Zioness was formed to push back against the narrative. Zioness insists Zionism is a progressive value, as it is a movement for the liberation and national self-determination of the Jewish people in its indigenous homeland.

The group was formed in 2017 after Slutwalk Chicago, which protests rape culture, excluded anyone with a Star of David from its annual march, because it was a “nationalist symbol,” though Palestinian flags were per mitted. The month before, the Chicago Dyke March kicked out women who were holding a rainbow flag with a Star of David.

Berman is a civil rights attorney who brought action against Kuwait Airways for discriminating against Israelis, and against San Diego State University for violating the rights of Jewish and Israeli students. She had previously practiced in the area of securities litigation.

Berman received Hadassah’s prestigious Myrtle Wreath Award, and was listed by the Algemeiner as one of the top “100 people positively contributing to Jewish life” in 2018.

Chloe Valdary, founder of the Theory of Enchantment and a New Or leans native, is board secretary for Zioness.

Currently, the closest chapters to the region are Houston, Nashville and Atlanta. There was a program in Baton Rouge in late 2020 to explore bringing Zioness to the community.

Wise will speak on Nov. 19 after the 10:30 a.m. Shabbat morning ser vice. There will be a lunch at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation, “Born Lucky: How a Triple Suicide Bombing Changed My Life” will be at 12:15 p.m.

She was in Israel in 1997 for three weeks with Dental Volunteers for Israel, providing services to underprivileged children. On the last day, she went to lunch with friends on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem. While switching seats with a friend to get out of the sun, the first two of three bombs went off, as Hamas suicide bombers detonated themselves. Five Israelis, three of them 14-year-old girls, were killed, and over 190 were wounded.

Wise had burns on 40 percent of her body, and nails embedded in the bombs impaled her leg to the table. She was in an Israeli hospital for two weeks, then went back to Canada for six months of treatment at burn clinics.

In 2004, she became involved with the Canadian Coaliton Against Ter ror, which worked for the 2012 passage of the Justice for Victims of Ter rorism Act, allowing Canadians to seek damages against state sponsors of terrorism, such as Iran and Syria.

For her efforts, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Ju bilee Medal of Honor.

Reservations are required by Nov. 14.

Catering Gift Cards King Cakes

The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana announced that its Annual Event will be held on March 5 at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans. The patron reception will be at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. More details will be announced.

New Orleans will be celebrating a Bark Mitzvah on Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the LASPCA. There will be a blessing of the pets, face painting, animal talent show, a food popup by Txow Txow, and a DJ. All funds raised will go to the LASPCA. Leashed pets are welcome, and there will be an adoption station. Special merchandise will also be available. The event is co-sponsored by JNOLA, the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, Shir Chadash, Louisiana SPCA, Gates of Prayer TRIBE and Moishe House.

Shir Chadash in Metairie will debut Davening, Dinner and Discussion, with the Nov. 4 event focusing on ethics in journalism. Panelists include David Hammer of WWL-TV, Times Picayune/Advocate journal ist Mark Schliefstein, and Scott Sternberg, attorney with the Louisiana Press Association. Services will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner. Reservations are $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Ages 4 to 12 are half price. Register by Nov. 2.

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans will have a presentation by Emily Williams on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. She will present some of her ongoing work as a photographer and oral histori an, from her summer travels through Alabama. She spent the summer doing fieldwork, and will share images, oral history recordings and reflections from life on the road. A Chicago native, Williams is pursu ing her MFA in photography at Louisiana State, concentrating on the Jewish experience in the Deep South. A livestream will be available.

The next Virtual Vacation of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life will be “Land, Labor, Legacy: In Conversation with Southern Jewish Farmers.” The online program will be on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. Central. It will feature a range of Jewish involvement with the land, from the fourth-generation Lamensdorfs farming cotton in the Mississippi Delta, to Sam Humphrey of Fertile Ground Farms in Jack son, whose emphasis is on climate, food and environmental justice. There will also be a discussion of the Jewish Farmer Network, whch connects farming to themes of cultivation in Jewish tradition.

Jewish Community Day School Parents Association will have a Par ents Night Out on Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Fleming’s Steakhouse in Metairie. The event coincides with the Metairie JCC’s Kids Night Out program for Pre-K to sixth grade.

It’s back — Israeli dancing, led by Elliott and Sandy Raisin, has re sumed, Mondays at 8 p.m. at the Starlight Ballroom in Metairie.

There will be a community campfire Havdalah at Gates of Prayer in Metairie on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m., coordinated with Jewish Commu nity Day School, Prizmah and PJ Library. There will be Havdalah craft stations, songs, and a campfire with s’mores.

The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge Religious School will have the annual Turkey Train on Nov. 13. Participants can either contribute $28 per turkey by Nov. 6, or bring a frozen turkey to the Jefferson Highway location on Nov. 13, for the 11:15 a.m. procession. The turkeys will be delivered to St. Vincent de Paul, to feed those in need during the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Sherry and Alan Leventhal Center for Interfaith Families will have Shabbat at Saba, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Saba lounge.

The Unified Jewish Community of Baton Rouge will have a Veteran’s Day Shabbat service, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m., featuring music by Joey Roth.

Breakfast

7217 Perrier St • New Orleans 504-866-4860 / tartineneworleans.com

High standards. Amazing taste.

Enjoy the quality and delicious flavors kosher products offer. Pick them up at Publix today.

MACHINE & CUTTING TOOLS

Bringing The World Of Machine And Cutting Tool Technology To You

Southern Jewish Life

Thanks and Giving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner ,and there is so much to be thankful for.

At Southern Jewish Life, we believe some of the things to be most thankful for are the rich vitality of Jewish life that permeates our region and the enduring connections that we as Jews in the Deep South have with one another.

We are proud that for more than 30 years our magazine, which is mailed free to every known Jewish household in our four state coverage region, has played an important role in creating these ties.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we say thank you to all those ad vertisers and donors who have supported our magazine. You have allowed us to provide award-winning independent Jewish journal ism that has enriched the lives of our readers and strengthened our identity as Jewish Southerners.

As we continue to grow and expand our coverage, there are three ways you can help us.

If you are in a position to advertise in our magazine, please let us know. If you patronize businesses that you think would benefit from advertising in Southern Jewish Life, let us know. For the Deep South markets, email Lee Green at lee@sjlmag.com. For the New Orleans area, email Jeff Pizzo, jeff@sjlmag.com.

And if you’re inclined to make a financial contribution to support our magazine, you can contribute to Southern Jewish Life by send ing a check to SJL, P.O. Box 130052, Birmingham, AL 35213, or going to https://sjlmag.com/contribute/ (Donations to Southern Jewish Life are not tax-deductible.) Or, scan our QR code and it will take you to our contribution page.

Doing any of these three will help us continue our mission, and we at Southern Jewish Life will give thanks for your support.

Tulane alumna’s takedown of heckler draws applause, late night spot

By Alan Zeitlin

(JNS) — A Jewish comic who graduated from Tulane has taken a nightmarish experience and turned it into what could be considered a dream come true.

During her set at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., on Oct. 9, Ariel Elias asked if anyone had questions. In a video that went viral with 5.6 million views on Twitter in just over a week, an audi ence member asks Elias if she voted for former President Donald Trump.

The comedian responds, “Why would you ask me that in here knowing that I’m the only Jew in this room? Are you trying to get me killed?”

The woman heckles Elias and says she could tell, from her jokes, that Elias voted for President Joe Biden. Elias counters, “I can tell by the fact that you’re still talking when nobody wants you to, that you voted for Trump.”

Thirty-three seconds later, a can of beer misses her face by a few feet to her right and crashes against the wall. Elias picks up the beer and chugs some of it, to loud applause.

“I think in general we’re all pretty on edge in this country and that’s sort of just spilling over into everything,” Elias told JNS.

She’d been talking about birth control earlier in the set, which she thinks may have caused the Trump supporter to believe Elias voted for Biden. She said while all comedians are cognizant of the Oscars incident in which Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, going on stage that night, she didn’t believe she was in danger. Elias felt she represented herself well.

“I think she was looking for an easy target and was looking for a fight,” Elias said. “I am not an easy target.”

She said that after the show, some audience members told her she was targeted because she was Jewish. But she said she can’t be sure of the heckler’s motivation, or that of her husband, who threw the beverage. She also said the couple was among a rowdy group of attendees who were there for a birthday party.

Elias was interviewed on CNN and ABC, among other channels, about the incident. Numerous celebrities praised Elias, including late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who booked Elias to perform on his Oct. 24 show.

The Tulane University graduate, who grew up in Lexington, Ky., isn’t a germaphobe and believes there was nothing nefarious in the drink.

“The club is BYOB and I was pretty certain that the guy had thrown an unopened beer,” she said, adding that she only saw liquid fly out when it hit the wall.

Do you have a business that could use more business? Advertise in Southern Jewish Life

Lee

JNS photo by Jordan Ashleigh Comic Ariel Elias was excited to make her late-night debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Oct. 24.

When she headlined at New York Comedy Club in Manhattan a few days later, Elias told a crowd she was still processing what took place. She drew laughs during a number of moments, including when she described how people in the U.S. South would mispronounce her first name and when they asked if she was named after a Disney princess, she answered that it was instead the former Israeli prime minister. Apparently, some got her reference to the late Ariel Sharon.

One new fan she picked up after the beer incident was New Yorker Sheldon Dong, 24, who stood in line outside Fat Black Pussycat in Man hattan as she performed inside. He said he hoped to see her comedy in the future and was impressed by her quick thinking.

“It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen,” Dong said of the viral video, which he viewed on TikTok. “The way she handled it was amazing.”

Elias said she’d always loved comedy and after she lis tened to podcasts that encouraged participation in open mic nights, she took the plunge.

“My first time was so much fun. I knew immediately, this was what I wanted to chase for the rest of my life,” she said.

Elias, 33, fuses observational humor with biting sarcasm. She often lets the crowd know she is Jewish. In Kentucky, she often answered questions about her religion.

“I grew up not around a lot of Jews,” Elias said. “In a lot of my friend groups, I was the only Jew, so I became sort of a representative where people ask questions about Judaism. Most of my friends were curious because they’d never had the opportunity to meet a Jew before. Because

my community was small, we were tight-knit. So going to services was a time to relax and be amongst people you had a lot in common with.”

In an interview with the University of Kentucky Libraries for an oral history project, she said that coming from such a small community, she was somewhat overwhelmed by the massive Jewish presence at Tulane.

She majored in Spanish at Tulane and studied in Cuba, then became a bilingual assistant at a New Orleans health clinic. Her first comedy per formance was at Carrollton Station. She kept pursuing her comedy, then after exhausting every venue, she decided she needed to be in New York if she was going to progress.

She said she was not surprised that some wondered if the beer incident was a publicity stunt.

“People in this country think mass shootings are fake, so why wouldn’t they think this is fake too?” Elias asked. “I don’t think it means we’re jaded. I think there’s a portion of our society that thinks everything is a con spiracy.”

(Elias was referring to “InfoWars” host Alex Jones profiting from telling the lie that the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut was a hoax.)

Elias married comedian Dan Shaki a year ago. The Jimmy Kimmel performance is something she’s yearned for ever since she started her career 11 years ago.

“I’m ready. I’ve been waiting to do standup on late-night TV for a long time.”

“We’re all pretty on edge in this country, and that’s sort of just spilling over into everything”

Hilary Weiss Realtor

Brook AL, 35223

Etz Chayim in Huntsville held its Jewish music fundraising concert in the sukkah on Oct. 16, to benefit the Food Bank of North Alabama. Congregants Lynne Edmondson and Larry Levitt performed on violin and guitar, with special guest Jenny McLeroy on violin.

Editorial

continued from page 4

el — not to mention their opinion of Jews who support Israel — after that.

And much of the current progressive anti-Israel activism includes the charge that Israel is a state built on the idea of Jewish suprema cy, with progressive groups casually tossing around a term that was coined by everyone’s favorite local Klansman, David Duke.

See? It’s okay to target the Jews. Look at what “they” do to the Pal estinians.

In Congress, on the right there is Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who has been mostly marginalized, and numerous candidates who have said really dumb things about Jews; on the other side are Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who are up-and-coming stars despite their use of an tisemitic tropes.

We’ve written extensively in this space about how anti-Israel ac tivism on campus doesn’t hurt Israel, but it marginalizes and isolates Jewish students, and leads to increases in antisemitism.

We’ve also written about how many of those who promote diversity dismiss antisemitism as a concern, because their world view has Jews as being powerful and privileged, not as the target of so much hate. Even worse, antisemitism is often justified by what the Jews suppos edly do to other groups. Are they saying that we are their misfortune?

As a lot of people who have been on the sidelines come out to con demn Ye’s words, it will be interesting to see where this controversy goes. Will it lead to a societal reckoning and introspection? Or will it harden positions as fingers continue to be pointed to the other side, as “our side” is merely engaged in harmless criticism speaking truth to power, while “they” are the violent threats.

God forbid that it become a “Blacks versus the Jews” debate (i.e. “the Jews taking down a powerful Black man”), as that would be a toxic mess that nobody needs.

Can we simply make antisemitism unacceptable again?

Pictured from left to right: Alan Weintraub, Financial Advisor, First Vice President-Investments, Bari Bridges, CFP®, Financial Advisor, Steven Wetzel, Financial Consultant, Linda Hodges, Senior Registered Client Associate, Jonathan Schlackman, Branch Manager, Senior Vice President-Investments, Alan Brockhaus, CFP®, ChFC®, Assistant Vice President, Branch Liaison, Joshua Zamat, Financial Advisor, First Vice President-Investments

communityWhether it is selling your current home or finding a new one, let me help you make the right decision.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS MATTER.

• Lambert Boissiere has years of experience working to lower utility rates and improve utility services for all families.

• Because of his leadership, and knowledge of the utility industry, he was elected Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

• Boissiere led the efforts to provide, and expand, broadband internet access to rural and underserved communities in our state.

• Boissiere fought for better, and more reliable, utility service after hurricanes and storms.

• Boissiere is a strong and reliable advocate on the Commission for the expanded use of solar, and other renewable, energy sources.

• Boissiere authorized the Public Service Commission to sue Entergy to hold it accountable for its bad business decisions. This suit will result in millions of dollars in savings for customers and lower utility rates

• Boissiere has been recognized for his leadership in fighting for lower utility rates by the Alliance For Affordable Energy and other community groups.

• The fight for affordable energy and the transitioning to the use of more renewable energy sources continues. We need Lambert Boissiere to continue this important fight for us.

Endorsed by: The Democratic State Party, AFL-CIO, and Independent Women’s Organization (IWO)

Chabad of Huntsville buys property for future facility

the Huntsville area growing at a tremendous rate, the demand

estate has been very strong. With that, Chabad of Huntsville took

of a “rare opportunity” to purchase land on a major road in the heart of the city.

The purchase, which was finalized on Sept. 15, was announced in the Chabad of Huntsville email the day leading into Rosh Hashanah, herald ing “new beginnings” for the organization that began seven years ago.

According to the announcement, “This was made possible thanks to a pool of local friends and visionaries who envision a bright Jewish future here in Huntsville and North Alabama.”

The currently-empty lot is on the northeast corner of Governors Drive at California Street, across from the Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children, and William Kling Sr. Park. The site is 1.01 acres, and sold for $370,000.

Rabbi Moshe Cohen said they hope to eventually build “an appealing structure, serving as a space and an environment for anything and every thing Jewish, including a sanctuary, kosher kitchen, Jewish library, puri fying mikvah, classrooms, Shabbat guest rooms, a social hall and more.”

He said they are still fundraising to cover the cost of the land, and then they will look toward “our next big leap of securing a future large-scale center for Jewish life — where every Jew’s birthright is their membership.”

He added, “Chabad is bursting at the seams.”

Huntsville is regarded as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, and had the quickest economic recovery in the nation in 2021.

New Orleans Federation to honor outgoing CEO Arnie Fielkow

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will hold its annual celebration on Dec. 7 with a tribute to Arnie Fielkow, who is retiring as Federation CEO at the end of the year.

Nancy and Steve Timm are chairing the evening, where the Federa tion’s annual awards will also be presented. Julie Green will receive the Herbert and Margot Garon Young Leadership Award. The Roger and Al lan Bissinger Memorial Award will go to Julie Wise Oreck, and the Oscar J. Tolmas L’Dor V’Dor Award recipient will be announced in November.

Fielkow came back to New Orleans in the summer of 2017 to lead the Federation after six years as the executive director of the National Bas ketball Retired Players Association in Chicago. Before that, he was on the New Orleans City Council.

The 7 p.m. dinner will be at the Audubon Tea Room. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are $85, $250 for “Angels” and $50 for ages 21 to 39. Seating is limited and reservations are requested by Nov. 28.

Preparing for changes as end-of-year tax planning commences

Foundations in Birmingham, Louisiana share updates

Special to Southern Jewish Life

The Birmingham Jewish Foundation and The Jewish Endowment Foun dation of Louisiana are sharing the following information from the Jewish Federations of North America with community members as year-end tax planning commences. As always, individuals should check with their own professional advisers regarding individual tax and financial situations.

As we approach the end of the year, it is helpful to reflect on steps that can be taken to reduce taxes that otherwise would be due. While there always is talk of changes in the taxes applicable to individuals, little has actually changed this year, so far. After the Democrats’ “Build Back Bet ter” legislative agenda seemed all but dead, a surprise change of heart by Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) led to the passage of a slimmed-down version of the bill named the “Inflation Reduction Act.” Significantly, the Inflation Reduction Act did not include many of the individual tax changes that the Biden Administration originally proposed and that were included in the various iterations of the House of Representatives’ version of the Build Back Better Act. Nevertheless, the Inflation Reduction Act did include some tax incentives relevant to individuals.

With the midterm elections approaching, it seems unlikely that Con gress will pass any significant individual tax legislation, although a “lame duck” package at the end of the year is possible. However, legislative proposals aimed at boosting retirement savings have gained significant traction in the House and Senate may yet be enacted this year.

Here are possible end-of-year planning ideas, as well as the most sig nificant legislative proposals that could affect individuals this year or be ginning in 2023.

Key Considerations for Year-End Tax Planning

Use appreciated assets to make a charitable gift in 2022. As in previ ous years, gifts of appreciated assets, such as stock, remain a best practice. Such gifts not only provide a deduction to the donor but also avoid the capital gains tax. Conversely, built-in loss assets generally should be sold (generating a tax loss) with the resulting cash proceeds donated, if de sired. Note that, as in previous years, up to $3,000 of capital losses may be used to offset ordinary income.

Consider donating to a Donor Advised Fund this year for maximum flexibility. If you are considering making a significant donation to charity over time but want a deduction today, consider adding funds to an exist ing Donor Advised Fund or opening a new DAF. It can be especially ben eficial to donate appreciated property, because by doing so capital gains taxation with respect to the contributed assets is eliminated. Federations and Jewish Community Foundations operate donor-advised funds and would be happy to assist.

Look into an IRA charitable rollover. The IRA charitable rollover is an attractive option because it can help satisfy the minimum distribution requirement without incurring income tax, even if you don’t itemize your deductions. If the proposed legislation expanding the amount and na ture of rollovers is enacted, this option will become even more attractive. However, such gifts may not be gifted to a Donor Advised Fund. Also, unlike the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, The Birmingham Jewish Foundation as a Supporting Foundation is not eligible to receive such gifts, but gifts may be made directly to Federations, synagogues and our other partner agencies.

Consider taking advantage of energy incentives in the Inflation Re duction Act. As you plan for 2023, consider taking advantage of the new

A commitment to care. •

To the Families of New Orleans

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

Sincerely, Stephen Sontheimer & Billy Henry

Dignity Memorial® Provider

and newly expanded and extended green energy incentives that are provid ed by the Inflation Reduction Act, including the tax credits for rooftop so lar panels, insulation, electric vehicle purchases, and energy efficient home improvements. Each of these incentives has somewhat complex rules, and some do not go into effect until 2023, so careful research is required.

Consider accelerating noncharitable gifts. The unified estate/gift credit of $12.06 million is scheduled to automatically reduce to around $6 million beginning with transfers made in 2026. Accordingly, taxpayers who intend to make significant gifts (either during their lifetime or in the form of bequests) may want to consider accelerating some or all of those gifts early.

As with any significant tax and charitable planning, it is always advis able to carefully consider potential changes in the context of your com plete financial profile and to consult your tax advisor.

We also recommend that you monitor the following legislative propos als as they will be considered by Congress later this year.

Legislative Proposals to Watch

Expansion of the universal charitable deduction for non-itemizers. Proposed legislation (S. 618 and H.R. 1704) seeks to expand the universal charitable deduction first enacted in the CARES Act, the COVID relief legislation passed in March 2020. The proposed legislation would allow a charitable deduction of up to one-third of the standard deduction avail able to non-itemizers (about $4,000 for individual filers and $8,000 for a joint return). In addition, it is possible that a year-end tax package could provide an “above the line” deduction of $300 ($600 for a joint return) similar to what was available for 2021.

Expansion of the IRA Charitable Rollover. Bipartisan legislation that has passed the House (the Securing Strong Retirement Act, H.R. 2954) has been introduced in the Senate (Enhancing American Retirement Now Act, S. 4808). It would make changes to the IRA Charitable Rollover regime, indexing the current $100,000 rollover amount for inflation and permitting one-time transfers to charitable remainder trusts and gift an nuities of up to $50,000.

For more information, contact Sally Friedman at the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, (205) 803-1519, sallyf@bjf.org; or Bobby Garon at the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, (504) 524-4559, bobby@jefno.org.

Ambassador Michael Oren to present newest book in New Orleans

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren will give a presentation from his new book, “Swann’s War,” at a program co-spon sored by Hadassah New Orleans and the National Council of Jewish Women’s New Orleans Section.

The event will be on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m., at the home of Susan and Bill Hess. A light dinner will be provided, and books will be available for purchase and signing. Reservations are required.

A New York native, Oren moved to Israel in the 1970s and was a lone soldier in the paratroopers. He fought in the Lebanon War in 1982 and later became an army spokesperson.

In 2009, he was appointed ambassador to the U.S., with the Iron Dome defense system and the Iranian nuclear threat as major issues during his tenure. He received the Statesman of the Year Medal from the Washing ton Institute for Near East Policy and the Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Prize for International Service.

Oren has written several best-selling nonfiction books, along with fic tional works. “Swann’s War” was hailed by Kirkus Review as “intriguing, wonderfully delineated, and tension-filled.” The novel is about a tranquil Massachusetts island where the police chief joins the Marines during World War II, and in his absence, his wife takes over the department amid a series of murders of Italian POWs held at the island’s prison.

Natchez Temple gets American Treasure matching grant

Temple B’nai Israel in Natchez was designated an American Treasure, as funding for 80 proj ects through Save America’s Treasures grants was announced.

The National Park Service, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services announced $24.25 million in grants on Sept. 28. The projects are in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

“Through private and public investments, the Save America’s Treasures program supports community-based preservation and conserva tion work on some of our nation’s most import ant collections, artifacts, structures, and sites for the benefit of future generations,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams.

Save America’s Treasures, funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, provided $356 mil lion to more than 1,326 projects between 1999 and 2020. Requiring a dollar-for-dollar private match, these grants have leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and contrib uted more than 16,000 jobs to local and state economies.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Temple B’nai Israel was selected for the Save America’s Treasures program,” said Nora Katz, Director of Heritage & Interpretation at the Goldring/ Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, and a member of the Natchez syna gogue’s Board of Trustees.

“Home to the oldest Jewish community in the state of Mississippi, Temple B’nai Israel tells a truly national story about the development of diverse American Jewish communities, south ern cultures, and, perhaps most importantly, the American immigrant experience. The building needs work to ensure its survival, and this sup port will be vital in making that happen,” she added.

Once the largest Jewish community in Mis sissippi, there are now only a half-dozen mem bers of the synagogue in Natchez. The care and long-term planning for the building has been entrusted to the ISJL.

The strategic plan for the B’nai Israel build ing, which was completed in 1905 after the original building burned, is to convert it into a communal arts and culture space for the city of Natchez, which will include an exhibit sharing the story of the Jewish community there. Funds are currently being raised to match the Save America’s Treasures funding, to meet the pri vate dollar-for-dollar match requirement.

New Orleans JWV offers weekend of Veterans Day programs

Gothard JWV Women’s Speaker Series debuts

The Ben Katz Post 580 of the Jewish War Veterans will honor the memory of New Orleans community leaders Jacqueline and Sol Gothard with a series of activities over Veterans Day weekend.

On Nov. 10, the Go thard JWV Women’s Speaker Series will pres ent “60 Years of Love. A Lifetime of Social Justice,” with Professor Leah Gar rett. The program will be on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai.

The speaker series was established in memory of the Gothards and their over 60 years together, as a way to recognize the roles and contributions of Jewish women in preserving the legacy of Jewish American military service. The Post plans to host a woman who is a veteran or civilian each year to discuss the service of American Jews in the military.

Garrett will speak about “Young Lions: How Jewish Authors Reinvent ed the American War Novel.” She is director of Jewish studies at Hunter College, City University of New York. Her new book, “X Troop: The Se cret Jewish Commandos of World War Two,” has been featured on CNN, Time Magazine, The Guardian, C-SPAN and a range of other venues.

She will discuss how Jews served at disproportionately high rates in World War II and were at the forefront of many campaigns. She will then discuss soldiers who became authors, including Norman Mailer, Joseph Heller and Herman Wouk, and how their novels set in World War II helped reshape American perceptions of the war, the Holocaust and the role of Jews in American life. The event will also be streamed.

On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., there will be a memorial ceremony at Beth Israel cemetery, honoring Jewish veterans. Hilton Title, Post Color Sergeant, will play “Taps,” and the names of those who fell in war will be recited. A minyan is needed for the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish.

Temple Sinai in New Orleans and Gates of Prayer in Metairie will have a Veterans Day Shabbat, with services starting at 6:15 p.m. at both locations. The names of Jews who fell in war after Sept. 11 will be read, and there will be a Missing Man table. Joel Picker will represent the post at Gates of Prayer, and Post Commander Carol Berman will be at Temple Sinai.

Beth Israel will have a Veterans Day Shabbat honoring the Gothards on Nov. 12 at the 9 a.m. service. Berman will do the name reading and there will be a Missing Man table. The kiddush will honor the Gothards, with Rabbi David Posternock leading the tribute. Community members are invited to share stories.

Sol Gothard served in Korea and had older brothers who served in World War II. After Katrina, he rebuilt the Post and was recognized na tionally for his recruitment efforts, including an outreach to non-Jews that led to a Kurdish member. He also pushed for women being repre sented in leadership of JWV, and the post now has its first woman com mander, who is also the second African-American Jewish woman to lead a JWV post.

Photo by Alexander Barkoff Jackie and Sol Gothard

He also mandated that JWV participate in New Orleans’ annual Mar tin Luther King Day parade, the only military organization to do so.

While he was rebuilding the local JWV, Jackie was leading Beth Israel through its post-Katrina recovery, along with son Eddie.

The post will host the JWV Department of Texas-Arkansas-Louisi ana-Oklahoma meeting in New Orleans the weekend of Jan. 6. The cen tral event will be the TALO banquet on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m., with keynote speaker Arnie Fielkow, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.

The Veterans Day events are open to the community.

Incentive grants for Summer Camp 2023

The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana is once again admin istering Jewish sleepaway camp grant programs for the summer of 2023.

The Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Experience, funded by the Gol dring Family Foundation, offers grants of up to $1,500 to help families send first-time campers to nonprofit Jewish sleepaway camps. Sponsored by the Goldring Family Foundation since 2001, this program has distrib uted grants enabling more than 1,700 children to attend Jewish summer camp for their first summer.

Children in grades one through nine who reside in Louisiana, Ala bama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle are eligible to apply.

The RoseMary and Saul Brooks Fund for Jewish Youth Engagement as sists children from small towns within Louisiana that are distanced from a Jewish community to attend Jewish sleepaway camp. The fund provides grants of minimally $550 per camper for up to 10 Jewish children.

Applications for both programs are now being accepted, with a dead line of March 1. Families will receive award notifications by mid-April.

More details on eligibility requirements for both programs are avail able by clicking the “Youth & Camping” tab on the JEF website, jefno. org/youth-camping.

B’ham Jewish Federation plans community mission to Israel for October 2023

The Birmingham Jewish Federation is planning an Israel at 75 commu nity mission to Israel in late 2023, led by CEO Danny Cohn.

The 11-day, 10-night trip is geared for first-timers and those who have been to Israel before, and will be from Oct. 12 to 22. Those who are inter ested may do an extension to Eliat and Jordan after the mission.

The tentative itinerary starts with three nights at the Royal Beach Ho tel in Tel Aviv, followed by two nights at Hagoshrim Hotel in the Upper Galilee, three nights at the Leonardo Plaza in Jerusalem, and two nights at the Hebert Samuel Hotel at the Dead Sea.

The first full day includes a visit to Birmingham’s sister city, Rosh Ha’Ayin. Other stops in the Tel Aviv area include the Ayalon Institute’s museum of the pre-state “underground,” the Museum of the Jewish Peo ple, Old Jaffa and the Nachalat Binyamin open air market.

Heading north, there will be a visit to a winery, and a stop at the Yemin Orde Youth Village. In the north, highlights include visiting the Banias Falls and a jeep ride on the Golan Heights, the Golan Olive Oil Mill, the mystical city of Tzfat, and Tiberias.

Jerusalem will include time at the Mount of Olives, the Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall Tunnels, a culinary tour of the Machane Yehuda Mar ket, and a visit to Yad Vashem.

Shabbat will be at the Dead Sea, with an optional excursion to Masada, or kayaking on the Dead Sea. The final day will be at leisure in the resort area.

A $400 deposit is required, and registration will close on Feb. 1. More information is available from the Federation.

with the Torah

At Chabad of Pensacola

During the Hebrew year of 5782, three Chabad locations in the region have done a rare celebration — the dedication of new Torah scrolls.

Parades took place in Pensacola, Panama City Beach and Birmingham, as the new scrolls were paraded on the streets near the Chabad centers, followed by dancing with the scrolls inside, and celebratory buffet din ners.

Festivities began in Pensacola on Nov. 14, as the Chabad, which had a Torah on loan, dedicated its own scroll to celebrate three years of rapid growth since Chabad was established there.

During the Covid lockdown, Rabbi Mendel Danow decided that one of

Shalom. Make yourself at home.

www.msje.org 818 Howard Ave. New Orleans,

Chabad of Panama City Beach

the center’s priorities for expanding its offerings should be to have its own Torah.

They waited until the pandemic was waning before holding the celebration.

In its short existence, the center has already opened a Pensatots daycare center, CKids Hebrew school, groups for young professionals, women and West Florida students, a kosher market and a regular magazine.

On May 15, the day of Pesach Sheni, Chabad in Panama City Beach celebrated its new Sephardic-style scroll.

Rabbi Mendel Havlin said they were thankful for the dedication of a Torah to serve the growing Jewish com munity in the Panama City area, and it was an occasion to unite the community.

They had recently announced the purchase of a proper ty that will become a new Chabad center for Panama City Beach. Havlin said they did not want to wait to celebrate the new Torah, so they did so at their temporary location, and plan to “complete the Simcha” when the new building is established.

The Panama City Torah was dedicated in memory of about two dozen relatives of community members.

The long-established Chabad in Birmingham then dedicated a new Torah on Aug. 28, in memory of Rabbi Yossi Posner’s parents, Rabbi Zushe and Yehudit Posner. The final letters were filled in at Overton Park, after which the Torah was marched under the chuppah down Overton Road to Bais Ariel Chabad.

Bais Ariel Chabad, Birmingham

The previous Torahs at Bais Ariel Chabad in Birmingham welcome the new scroll into the building at the Aug. 28 parade.

Not everything was a celebration

Not every ceremony involving a Torah was a celebration, though. On April 5, three scrolls that belonged to Shir Chadash in Metairie were bur ied, having been rendered unusable due to water damage from flooding after Hurricane Ida.

The scrolls were buried, along with other unusable holy writings, un der the ramp that was being built for the new Oscar J. Tolmas Louisiana Community Mikvah, which is expected to be completed around the first of the year.

Rabbi Deborah Silver, who was Shir Chadash rabbi at the time, said the mikvah would be unique in having the path into the building “strewn with holy words.”

Before Ida hit, the scrolls had been taken to a place where it was figured they would be safe, as it had not flooded following the Hurricane Katrina levee breach in 2005. This time, it did, and four scrolls were damaged. One with minor damage was repaired, but the other three could not be salvaged.

The congregation had a couple more scrolls that had been used on Shabbat, wrapped in plastic and placed at a high location at Shir Cha dash. The synagogue had flooded in 2005 but did not this time, and those scrolls were safe.

Students from Jewish Community Day School took part in the burial.

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.

Our BoardMission 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.

PRESIDENT David Dulitz, MD

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Debbie Pesses

TREASURER

Ashley Merlin Gold

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Bradley Bain

SECRETARY

Rochelle Adler Effron

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Betsy Threefoot Kaston

Elizabeth Ahlquist Michele Allen-Hart Gilbert Braunig

Josh Friedmann

Stephanie Kaston Sara Kottle Allison Kupperman

Jordan Lieberman Sallye Marcus Melinda Mintz Gail Pesses

Jill Plotkin Henry Rosenblat Julie Schwartz

Rabbi Todd Silverman Ben Swig Hallie Timm

Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin Ellie Wainer

Ginny Wise Ian Zlatkiss, MD

Letter from the President & Executive Director

Dear Friends,

On the morning of Friday, August 27th, 2021, friends and family called and texted us with the same question, “are you staying or going?” Meteorologists and local officials issued warnings. Staff popped their heads into my (Roselle’s) office and asked what to expect.

The sky was a slate gray. A strong storm barreled toward us on the very anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This was a massive blow after a year and a half of a pandemic and a different violent hurricane, Laura, had impacted our neighbors to the west. If nothing else, our staff could expect the best from our community and from each other.

While Hurricane Ida was a daunting prospect, we knew from experience that our community would prevail. Within 48 hours of Hurricane Ida, our staff contacted almost all of our clients, touched base with community organizations, and held a staff meeting. We shared resources, helped people get in touch, and checked on the elderly and vulnerable. As the long-term recovery began, we found national partners to provide emergency assistance. Our well-oiled machine not only moved forward but made true progress.

Before the storm hit, we knew we could trust our network of care because of the engagement and generosity of our donors. Supporters just like you enable us to respond to crises quickly and to provide long-term care once the worst is over. Some highlights of your support include:

Providing needs-based emergency financial assistance to members of the Jewish community impacted by Hurricane Ida, with financial support from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Jewish Endowment Foundation.

Distributing Shabbat dinners to community members with financial and mobility challenges through our Honor Thy Mother: Pay It Forward program during August 2021.

There is so much need in our region right now. The fallout from the pandemic manifested in challenging and unsuspecting ways. Our youth desperately need our attention and support. Hurricane recovery drags on while new storms brew in the Gulf. Polarization divides our nation and our communities. We, however, are filled with hope. Time and again, ordinary members of our community go to extraordinary lengths to support our essential programs and services. Your generosity of time, money, and spirit ensures that a safety net is always available should someone need a safe place to land. As our board and staff prepare for the next year, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your trust and assistance this past year. We look forward to transforming lives and providing the best care possible, with your enduring support, in the year to come.

Here for the decades ahead, David Dulitz, M.D.

Roselle M. Ungar, CFRE BOARD PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Strengthening Our Bonds

Nurturing Growth and Enriching Lives

Educating the

Preserving Dignity and Independence

Support

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

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

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.

Build a Lasting Legacy

Help JFS maintain and enhance our essential and life-saving work to meet the needs of the day. A rainyday fund, such as our JFS Legacy Fund, ensures that JFS can sustain our caretaking role and that YOUR legacy is the crucial work of our mission. Join us as a caretaker of the Greater New Orleans community and ensure that future generations have a place to turn when they are in need, no matter what happens. To build your legacy with JFS, contact Bobby Garon, Executive Director of the Jewish Endowment Foundation, at (504) 524-4559, or Roselle Ungar, Executive Director of JFS, at (504) 831-8475, to discuss your vision for your legacy.

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.

JFS Partners in CARING Giving Society

Baptist Community Ministries

Bruce Levy Family for the Benefit of Jewish Family Service Donor Advised Fund

The Estate of Dr. Leona Bersadsky

The Bissinger-Timm Family

Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

Adele K. Cahn* / Adele Cahn Catch-A-Cab Designated Fund

The Cahn Family Foundation; c/o

James & Marie Cahn & Richard & Vivian Cahn Covenant House

Ferber Family Foundation of Houma Goldring Family Foundation GPOA Foundation

Robert* & B. & Shirley* Haspel Albert and Rea Hendler Charitable Trust Institute of Mental Hygiene Jewish Endowment Foundation

donor records beginning in 1990.

Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Pratt-Stanton Manor Fund Sara Matile Schwarz*

Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust United Way of Southeast Louisiana

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Woldenberg Foundation Lynell D. Zelenka Foundation

Anonymous

Cathy & Morris Bart Evelyn & Billy Burkenroad Foundation

David & Sue Daube

Deena Gerber

Hancock Whitney National Bank Mrs. Sandra P. Heller*

Dr. & Mrs. Harris Hyman, III Dorothy S. Jacobs Judge Jacob & Vicki Karno Jeffrey & Betsy Kaston

Shelly & Benay Bernstein

Burkedale Foundation

Ella West Freeman Foundation

Jonathan & Leslie Fawer

Alan & Diane Franco

Jeffrey & Debbie* Friedman Bobby Garon & Robin Levy Mike & Marcy Gertler

Dr. Dov & Margie Glazer

Howard & Susan Green

Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Guevara

John Haspel & Amy Gainsburgh-Haspel

Mrs. Jimmy Heymann* Jeffrey & Andrea Huseman

Julanne Isaacson

The Estate of Irwin Isaacson Jefferson Parish Medical Society

Paul & Marilyn Kullman Fran* & Jonathan Lake Renee & Rusty Levy Anne P. Lowenburg MAZON, A Jewish Response to Hunger John & Susie Meltzer Julie Grant Meyer Max Nathan, Jr.* NGCF Donor Advisory Fund Marshall* & Julie Wise Oreck Sanford Pailet, MD

Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Hugo & Lis Kahn

Jeno & Monica Kalozdi Keller Family Foundation Scott Kisner

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

Andrea & Terrence Lestelle Walter and Laura Levy Richard S. Margolin

Jan & Henry Miller

New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness (NOAAHH)

Bennie P. Nobles

Sarah & Joe* Pasternack, Jr. Percival Stern Foundation Gary & Charlotte Reiss

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

Julie Schwartz & David Radlauer RosaMary Foundation Henry & Susan Rosenblat Joshua L. Rubenstein

Madalyn & Robert Schenk William & Jane Sizeler Robert & Pamela Steeg Sara B. Stone* Harold Wainer Carol Wise Frances Sontheimer Wolff*

Gary & Jenny Rich

The SAC Foundation

Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation

Jonathan & Debbie Schlackman Dana & Louis Shepard Sherman Charitable Trust

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

Judge Miriam & Mr. Bruce Waltzer Art & Martie Waterman Guy & Dale Williams

Our 2021-2022 Supporters

Baptist Community Ministries

The Estate of Dr. Leona Bersadsky Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

United Way of Southeast Louisiana U.S. Committee of Refugees & Immigrants

$25,000

The Cahn Family Foundation; Marie & James Cahn, Vivian & Richard Cahn

Goldring Family Foundation

Jewish Community Day School

Jewish Endowment Foundation

Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Woldenberg Foundation

$10,000

Covenant House GPOA Foundation

Bruce Levy Family for the Benefit of Jewish Family Service Donor Advised Fund

Pratt-Stanton Manor Fund

SM Schwarz Donor Advised Fund Harold Wainer

$5,000

Adele K. Cahn* / Adele Cahn Catch-A-Cab Designated Fund

Keller Family Foundation Susie & John Meltzer

Cynthia N. & Leon* Rittenberg Jr.

Sherman Charitable Trust Institute of Mental Hygiene

$2,500

Evelyn & Billy Burkenroad Foundation

David & Sue Daube

Mark & Rochelle Effron Jacob & Vicki Karno Alan Krilov

Leon & Debbie Pesses

$1,000

Anoymous

Harris & Bonnie Blackman Daniel & Melanie Bronfin Burkedale Foundation Congregation Temple Emanuel, Beaumont, TX Jonathan & Leslie Fawer Ferber Family Foundation of Houma Mike & Marcy Gertler Dov & Margie Glazer Sandy* & Edward* M. Heller Donor Advised Fund Fred & Amanda Herman Harris & Barbara Hyman Hugo & Lis Kahn Jeffrey & Betsy Kaston Terrence & Andrea Lestelle Rusty & Renee Levy Bernard Van der Linden Joel & Ruth Loeffelholz Julie Grant Meyer Henry & Jan Miller

Melinda Mintz NGCF Donor Advisory Fund Louise Obletz Sanford Pailet

Jill & Lee Plotkin Family Fund Gary & Charlotte Reiss Ricchiuti Family Fund Henry & Susan Rosenblat Paul & Edie Rosenblum Joshua L. Rubenstein Robert & Madalyn Schenk David Radlauer & Julie Schwartz Hal & Kathy Shepard Ivan Sherman William & Jane Sizeler Darian Swig Stephen & Nancy Timm Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Randy & Patty Ungar Bruce & Ellie Wainer Kevin Wilkins & Ginny Wise $500 - $999 Diane Africk Elizabeth Ahlquist Jack & Phyllis Alltmont

Morris & Cathy Bart

Marc Behar

Allan & Nikki Berger

Allan* & Nancy Bissinger

James Weiss & Audrey Browne

Aden & Cathy Burka

Congregation Gates of Prayer, New Orleans Richard & Ina Davis

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation David & Kristen Dulitz

George Fong Deena Y. Gerber

Louis & Debbie Gertler Scott & Ashley Gold Jeff & Linda Green

Barbara Greenberg Michelle Allen-Hart John Haspel & Amy Gainsburgh-Haspel

Maury A. Herman Paul & Leah Katz

Betty & Ira Kohn Foundation Rene & Janet Koppel

Paul & Marilyn Kullman

Bobby Garon & Robin Levy

Rabbi Robert & Lynn Loewy Stephen & Ellen Manshel

Sallye Marcus

Bennie P. Nobles

Joe* & Sarah Pasternack Jr. Sidney & Joyce Pulitzer Alan & Esta Rubinstein

Louis & Dana Shepard

Robert I. Shepard

Leopold & Karen Sher Courtney Singer

Sisterhood of Temple Israel West Palm Beach, Florida

Robert & Pamela Steeg

Ben Swig

Stanley & Roselle Ungar Bruce & Miriam Waltzer Michael & Lynne Wasserman Art & Martie Waterman

Renée Zack

$250 - $499

Sabina Altman

Bradley & Daniela Bain Shelly & Benay Bernstein

Joe & Lee Blotner

Gilbert & Jody Braunig Suzanne B. Canalizo* Congregation Beth Israel, New Orleans

Cypress Funeral Services & Crematory, LLC

Ed & Theresa Dennis Evan & Emily Dvorin

Michael S. Fawer Arnie & Susan Fielkow Israel & Sylvia Finger Nathan & Leslie Fischman

Robert Force

Mollie Fried

George & Laura Fuhrman Juan & Ana Gershanik

Robin Giarrusso

Jan & N’Ann Glade

Charles & Cathy Glaser and Family Donor Advised Fund

Maurice & Harriet Handelman Donor Advised Fund

Seth Harris & Julie Schwam Harris Mike & Lisa Herman

William & Susan Hess Hillels of Georgia

Amy Hirsch

Mitchell J. & Susan Hoffman

Rick Jacobs

Richard & Lisa Karlin Celia L. Katz

Susan Kierr

Scott & Geri Kisner

Sanford Krilov

Stephen & Mara Kupperman Walter & Laura Levy Jordan Lieberman

Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin Anna Mantell

Marrero Land and Improvement Association

Sanford & Barbara Maslansky Marjorie McCants

Robert Mintz

Michelle Missaghieh Andree K. Moss

Richard & Carole Neff Harriet Aguiar-Netto Tom & Marilynn Oelsner

Marshall* & Julie Wise Oreck Paul Pechon

Gail Fenton Pesses John Pizer

M.E. Polson Provident Aid Designated Fund Fred & Sue Preis Molly Pulda Julie Schwartz & David Radlauer Donor Advised Fund

Maura Redden Karen Remer

Jeffrey & Rachelle Schwartzman Rabbi Deborah Silver Richard & Jetty Spector Rick & Ann Streiffer Henry* & Audrey Threefoot Debora Tremont

Hal & Lauren Ungar Gail Wall

Richard Wilkof Lynn Wolf Moises & Martha Yoselevitz Charles Young Family Fund Marilyn Pailet Zackin David & Rella Zapletal Ian Zlatkiss

$100 - $249

Ann & Nate Levine Academy Student Congress, Dallas, TX Anonymous (4) Alex & Eva Barkoff Lisa Barnett Sue Barton Mark & Jaymi Baum Charles & Martha Becker Marc Savoy & Phyllis Bell Jan Bergman Michael Berman Marvin & Marilyn Bernstein Clara Berry

Jennifer Bigelow George & Ruth Bilbe Brandon & Rachel Bissinger Stephen Blitz Bob & Caroline Brickman Judith Brown Richard & Vivian Cahn Mike & Virgina Castine Bonnie Chambliss

Kathy Chauvin Marvin Clifford Alexander & Sarah Cohen Gerald Cohen

Jonathan & Jeanne Cohen Michael & Anna Cohen Dan Cohn

Congregation Anshe Sfard, New Orleans

Congregation Temple Sinai, New Orleans Gregory & Joan Cox Alan Director Martin Drell Rosalie Dulitz Kenneth & Melanie Ehrlich Alan Emerman Martin & Arleen Falchook Neel & Deborah Fallis Donald Faust

Max* & Jei Jei Feinberg Elliot & Lisa Finkelstein Warren Forstall, Jr Steve & Tina Fox Allison Freeman Lynette Fried Marc & Susan Friedman Aran Toshav & Rebecca Friedman Reuben & Marlene Friedman Josh & Lindsay Friedmann Lewis Gedansky Mel & Jacqueline Gold Hannah Golden

Paul Goldfarb, Jr Sandra Chass Goldsmith David & Shannie Goldstein Barbara Gordin

Howard & Susan Green Marilyn Green

Leon Greenblatt, II Ron & Leslie Gubitz

Andrew & Ann Gutter Edward & Joelle Halpern Sol & Lois Heiman

Ron & Daisy Heumann

Jason Hintersteiner

Mark & Cecile Hoffman

Kenny Hollingsworth Brian & Svetlana Horowitz

Jeffrey & Andrea Huseman

Stanley Jacobs Joshua & Ronda Jacobson Terry & Shellie Jacobson

Jeannie & Jill Jeffer Eric Jenkins Anita Jobson

Wynn & Lori Kapit

Beverly Katz Brian & Lisa Katz Ellen Katz Katherine Kay

Lois & Lester Kempner Family Designated Fund

Dana Keren

David Kerns

Stanley C. & Ellen W. Kessler Donor Advised Fund Ann Kientz* Steve & Pat Klein

Judith Klingbeil

Kathy Kornman

Ronda Kottle

Deborah Kramer

Allison Kupperman

Harry & Betty Lazarus

Barry & Charlotte Leader Donald I. Levy Glenn & Judy Lieberman Jane Lippow Harry Lowenburg Michael Makovsky Barry Marcus David & Jeanne Margolin Carol Markowitz Joshua & Jill Mayer Alvin & Carol Merlin Danielle Mickenberg William & Gabrielle Mimeles Betty Moore

Robert & Barbara Namer NCJW - Greater New Orleans Section Burton & Donna Neil New Orleans Jewish Community Center David & Michelle Oelsner David & Tiffany Oestreicher, II Joan Oppenheim Larry & Naomi Orlansky Sandra Pearlman Suzette Perles

Joel & Paula Picker Ronald & Diane Rabin Gary Remer & Toni Weiss Steven & Lee Rittvo Mark K. Rosenbloom Wally & Candy Rosenblum Cherie Rosenstein Robbie & Andre Rubenstein Kathy Rush Jennifer Samuels

Lee & Susan Scharff

Charles & Reda Scher

Paul Schmidtke

Stanley & Julie Schwam

Joseph & Esther Shefsky

Debra Shulkin

Ed & Betty Smith

Jeffrey & Janice Smith

Lesley Smith

Edward Soll

Lisa Stahl

Edgar & Kay Starns

State of Israel Ministry of Finance

Edgar Stein

Paul & Laurie Sterbcow

Susan Sternberg

Catherine Susman

Robert Tankel

Matthew & Sherri Tarr

Jeff & Michele Varon Raymond Ventura

Gregory Vorhoff Paul Waldman

John & Kathy Weil

Arlene Wieder

Lorraine Lake Williams Jerome Winsberg Robert & Marie Wolf Frances Wolff* Sue Wolff

Monica Woods David & Lisa Wurtzel Edward & Veronica Young Lawrence & Joan Zaslow

Our Staff

*Former JFS Staff as of June 30, 2022

Executive Staff

Roselle M. Ungar, CFRE Executive Director

Michelle Beard, LCSW-BACS, MBA Director of Clinical Services

Carly Smith, LCSW Intern Program Supervisor

Julie Finkelstein Steinhaus* Director of Business Services

Rabbi David Posternock Director of Business Services

Clinical Staff

Maryury Castaneda, LMSW USCRI Case Manager

Stephanie Crowder, LPC, LMFT Therapist

Fran Dinehart, LCSW Therapist

Mark Saucier, LPC Therapist

Mario Figueroa, BSW USCRI Regional Supervisor

Charlotte Dillon

USCRI Case Manager

Cinthia Sostenes Millan USCRI Case Manager

Lorena Wever

USCRI Case Manager

Margaret Winston, LPC Jewish Community Day School Therapist

Senior Services

Kim Nonenmacher Senior Services Manager

Jan Miller

Office Support Staff

Harrison Wool, RTA Field Support Staff

Teen Life Counts

Ashleigh Hite, LMSW Teen Life Counts Program Manager

Lauren Jones Teen Life Counts Administrative Assistant

Communications & Events

Haley Hemenway Sledge Communications & Events Coordinator

Administrative Staff

Cortni Randazzo Client & Donor Services Specialist

Teri Conrad Administrative Assistant

2021-2022

Training Center Interns

Isabella Goldman, Erica Uli, Mya Sherman, Laura Winkles, Kayla Bradley, Frances Currie, Caroline Wilson

Hadassah hosts “Living Fully” workshop at Shir Chadash

Hadassah New Orleans will host a special workshop on “Living Fully,” Dec. 4 at Shir Chadash in Metairie.

Rabbi Daniel Kripper, author of “Living Fully: Keys to Spiritual Growth and Happiness,” will travel to New Orleans from his home in New En gland for the workshop, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The event will mark the debut of the English translation of Kripper’s “Living Fully.” The paperback book was made possible through the coop eration of Hadassah New Orleans, and Kripper is donating all royalties from the sale of this edition to the chapter. The book may be purchased at the event or pre-purchased on Amazon.

Participants will have the opportunity to interact with Kripper and other attendees for a life-affirming experience. During the workshop, Kripper will guide participants on how to overcome fear and transform it into fuel; build successful relationships through kindness, empathy and compassion; and enhance happiness and quality of life.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Kripper completed his studies at the University of Buenos Aires. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires, after finishing his rabbinical program in Jerusalem and postgraduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has served as a rabbi for congregations in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Aruba and the United States.

A life coach and spiritual counselor, he completed his professional training in clinical pastoral education in the United States, and directed healing and emotional support programs for the ill and their families. He has been deeply involved in interfaith dialogue and has acted as an advisor for international interfaith organizations.

He received an Honorary Doctorate from the Jewish Theological Semi nary of America for his successful service in spiritual leadership. In addi tion to authoring “Living Fully,” he has written several articles and other publications.

Reservations start at $36, and all donation levels for the workshop in clude lunch. Donations of $72 and above will receive a book at the event, which Kripper will sign personally, and will be listed in the event pro gram. Registration for the workshop is required by Nov. 18 by going to https://hadassahsupersouth.org/LivingFully.

Out of an abundance of caution, Hadassah is requiring proof of vac cination and booster upon arrival to all in-person events. Because of the live, interactive format of the workshop, a livestream will not be available for this event.

Co-sponsors of the workshop are Hadassah, Shir Chadash and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.

American Jewish Archives presents Freedom Rider who became rabbi

The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the Amer ican Jewish Archives will present “This Freedom Rider,” an online film screening and discussion with Rabbi Philip Posner, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. Cen tral.

Posner is producer and screenwriter for “This Freedom Rider,” which tells the story of his time in 1961 as a Freedom Rider. The Freedom Riders were an integrated group of activists that traveled from the north to Southern cities by bus to test whether Federal rulings mandating the desegre gation of interstate facilities, such as train and bus stations, were being followed. The activists were usually met by mobs that

beat them, and one bus was firebombed near

He started his activism in his hometown of Los Angeles, then while a student at the University of California Los Angeles, he connected with CORE, which organized the rides.

Posner and his fellow activists were arrested upon arrival in Jackson, and sent to Mississippi’s notorious Parchman State Penitentiary. He was imprisoned for 39 days, and after being released, had Shabbat dinner at the home of Rabbi Perry Nussbaum in Jackson. Nussbaum quietly visited Jewish inmates at Parchman and relayed messages they could not send to relatives because of their letters being censored.

Posner now lives in Mexico, after a 40-year rabbinic career that includ ed Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga.

After the 35-minute film, Gary Zola, executive director of the archives, will dialogue with Posner about his experiences, and show some of the archive’s holdings about Jewish Freedom Riders.

Registration is available at americanjewisharchives.org.

Louisiana-Lafayette hosting “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit

The Edith Garland Dupre Library at the University of Louisiana at La fayette is hosting “Americans and the Holocaust,” a traveling exhibit of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The exhibit will be on display from Nov. 9 to Dec. 8, with numerous complementary programs.

Through the American Library Association, the exhibit will be in 50 public and university libraries by Nov. 2023.

This 1,100-square-foot traveling exhibition is based on the exhibition that opened in April 2018 at the museum. The traveling exhibition ad dresses important themes in American history, including Americans’ responses to refugees, war and genocide in the 1930s and ‘40s. This ex hibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.

It has already been displayed at the University of Mississippi. It will be at the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County from Jan. 3 to Feb. 14, Chattanooga Public Library from Jan. 20 to March 3, Troy University from March 17 to April 28, the Ben May Main Library in Mobile from May 12 to June 23, and the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries in Columbus, Ga., from July 7 to Aug. 18.

On Nov. 9 at 6 p.m., Manny Klepper, a member of the Lafayette community and a Holocaust survivor, will give his personal account of Kristallnacht. Registration is required.

The opening reception, which is by invitation only, will be Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. Richard Frankel, history professor at Louisiana-Lafayette, will speak.

The Olga Lengyel Institute, which provides professional development seminars for Holocaust education, will hold an educator’s workshop on Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.. Penny Kinchen, Middle School Administrator at Central Private School, will present TOLI’s educational model for grades 6 and above, on how to link lessons from the Holocaust and other genocides to current world events.

There will be two events at the Lafayette Public Library’s South Re gional branch. On Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a book discussion of “Sons and Soldiers: The Jews Who Escaped the Nazis and Returned for Retribution” by Bruce Henderson. It recounts the stories of young Jew ish boys who escaped and were resettled in the United States, and then returned to fight for the U.S. and for the families they had left behind in Europe. The event will be in person and online.

On Nov. 18 at 1 p.m., there will be a screening of a 45-minute preview of the recent Ken Burns documentary series, “The U.S. and the Holo caust.” After the screening, there will be a discussion led by Louisiana-La fayette Professor Charles Richard, non-fiction writer and producer of documentaries.

No wandering for 40 years

Israeli-born designer Rickie Freeman’s longstanding relationship with Gus Mayer

By Lee J. Green

Israel-born fashion designer Rickie Freeman said that the fabric of her company Teri Jon’s success has been stitched together by family, tradition and a partnership with Gus Mayer.

“Right after we started the company 40 years ago, we had our first-ever trunk show at Gus Mayer in New Orleans,” said Free man, whose women’s formal wear line has been a staple for the Birmingham and Nashville Gus Mayer stores for years. “Gus Mayer caters to a Southern lady with a certain classic, elegant style and that fits really well with our brand.”

Gus Mayer Birmingham President Mitch Johnson added, “I have known Rickie for years; her designs are timeless and ever evolving. She truly understands her customers and what they’re looking for.”

Both of Freeman’s parents were Holocaust survivors. “My father was an expert tailor and his ability helped him to sur vive the camp,” she said. “They were heroes. I also learned from my father that real fashion design is in the tailoring and the basic details.”

Freeman grew up in Israel and knew that if she was going to achieve her dreams of becoming a fashion designer, she would need to go to the fashion capital of the United States — New York.

She would work all day and at night at the famed Fash ion Institute of Technology. Through hard work and talent, Freeman would earn a scholarship to FIT. After gradua tion, she would go on to work for Evan Piconne and then earn a lead designer position with the women’s sportwear giant Elie Tihari.

In 1982, she started Teri Jon, named for its three found ers, Teresa, Rickie and Jon. Freeman would buy out her partners years later. The company quickly made a name for itself as a luxury brand.

“Our vision is to make dresses that are classic but modern and are always in style,” said Freeman. “We want our dresses to look like someone spent a lot of money on them — that’s what we call affordable luxury. These are dresses that can be worn to a wedding, Bar Mitzvah and just a nice night at dinner.”

She said that success in business and life involves finding that balance with career and family. Freeman and her husband, Maurice, a retired surgeon, have been married 47 years. They have three grown daughters — Liora, Donna and Ophira. Her middle daughter, Donna, works at Sheba Hospital in Israel.

Freeman said Teri Jon has weathered several challenges, from Sept. 11, a couple economic down turns and the Covid pandemic.

“People weren’t going out, especially for the first few months (of Covid) and we don’t make paja mas or sweatshirts. But as a team, we came together and made it through even stronger. We had our best year in the 40-year history of the company in 2021,” she said.

Freeman said that she and her family have been involved in their respective Jewish communities. She set up the Freeman Foundation to support charitable causes in the Jewish commu nities, Israel and others she strongly believes in.

“I grew up speaking Yiddish and one of my big causes is sup porting the Yiddish Theatre,” she said. “It’s so important to us to give back.”

When asked if as a young girl in Israel she ever thought she would have one of the most-well-known women’s luxury fash ion lines, Freeman said, “I never dreamed it would happen, but I always hoped it would happen. I’m very grateful for the opportu nities and very grateful I’ve been able to live my dreams.”

Rickie Freeman

simchas

Ritz-Carlton’s The Residence takes Simchas to new heights

The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans has been the venue for numer ous simchas over the years. Now, the landmark French Quarter ho tel is taking celebrations to new heights, with The Residence.

The hotel’s crown jewel boasts over 6,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space high above the French Quarter. Available as an elegant suite for overnight stays, or as a venue for private events of up to 100 people, The Residence made its debut last December.

The Residence provides all the comforts of home with two-bed rooms, living room, dining room and fully equipped kitchen, as well as an expansive private outdoor terrace for relaxation or enter

taining overlooking the city.

The terrace, at 3,500 square feet, provides sweeping views of New Orleans. An outdoor seating area with a fireplace and water feature provides an ideal space for relaxation and intimate conversation, while a garden and overlook is the perfect setting for an event or intimate wedding.

Private events for up to 50 people can be done indoors, with a dining room ideal for hosting parties of up to 10, fireplaces crack ling in the living room and primary bedroom, well-appointed marble bathrooms and an oversized soaking tub under a spar kling chandelier, as well as access to the Maison Orleans Club Lounge for overnight stays.

The suite includes a collection from regional artists in a variety of media, curated by local galleries including Arthur Roger Gallery, Octavia Gallery, and Carol Robinson Gallery. Highlights include a dramatic photo of The Palais Garnier that greets guests upon arrival into the suite, French silk wallpa per adding an elegant touch to each space, and wooden her ringbone flooring throughout.

“New Orleans has faced much adversity (during Covid), and The Residence and Ritz-Carlton Spa have been beacons of hope and positivity, that exemplify the hotel’s resiliency and contin ued commitment to our guests,” said Jim Oliver, General Man ager at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans “We look forward to playing host to incredible getaways and celebratory occasions in The Residence.”

Set within the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building, a landmark of New Orleans Jewish history, the Ritz-Carlton fea tures 528 sleeping rooms, live music at the Davenport Lounge, local culinary experiences with M Bistro, and more than 100 treatments at the award-winning newly-reimagined luxury spa.

a semi-annual SJL special section

The Emerald shines as new downtown intimate-event venue

By Lee J. Green

When she had trouble finding a smaller event venue with a community feel in downtown Birmingham for a baby shower, Laniesha Williams con cocted a gem of an idea.

“I came up with the idea for The Emerald, to give people a smaller, more intimate place with a community-center feel to host events in the heart of downtown,” said Williams. “We found this great space (on 20th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue North) and knew it would be perfect.”

The Emerald can host up to 75 people for a standing event and 50 for a sit-down event. “People can rent the place and do anything they want with decorations, food, beverage, entertainment. You can really customize it to fit the celebration,” she said.

Williams opened The Emerald in a historic, 100-year-old building with exposed-brick interiors in early fall of 2021. They have hosted many cele brations ranging from wedding receptions to photo shoots to a party for the Netherlands delegation at the World Games in Birmingham this past summer. The Emerald also hosted artists for Birmingham Artwalk in 2022.

The UAB graduate said she had been working as an accountant with Shipt before starting The Emerald. “I learned about how to be entrepre neurial and to problem-solve,” said Williams. “It really is enjoyable to feel like you are playing a role in these important life events. We’re really happy to be a part of the community.”

Avenue D a new celebration destination

By Lee J. Green

Avenue D has been a street of dreams and a destination for celebrations since opening in late spring.

“We were actually looking for a location to use for a real estate business and we just fell in love with this space,” said Laura Turner, who coowns Avenue D with her partner, Chuck Riley.

Avenue D is the original name for 4th Avenue South in Birmingham. The space includes 3,500 square feet downstairs for celebrations, with some VIP rooms upstairs. Its 2,500-square-foot outdoor venue space includes a lush garden with a view of historic Sloss Furnaces.

“We’ve designed the space to really fit with the area,” said Turner. “It’s open and airy with art deco finishes. It has exposed brick and an in dustrial feel that really speaks to what Birming ham is all about.” Avenue D’s kitschy, stylish bathrooms also received recognition as one of the Top 5 Coolest Bathrooms in Birmingham.

She said simcha hosts can “customize the space to really make it your own.” Avenue D can provide a high-end AV system for presentations and to include those virtually who cannot make the event.

Turner said hosts can rent the space for a flat fee and bring in all their own vendors, or Avenue D can provide event-planning and vendor-coordination services for an additional cost.

Since opening, Avenue D has hosted a wide range of events from weddings to birthday par ties to cabaret and theatre fundraisers to birth

H S T R E E T N

B I R M I N G H A M

A L

N T

A T E

E N U E I N T H E H E A R T O F D O W N T O W N B I R M I N G H A M P E R F E C T F O R B ' N A I M I T Z V A H S A N D O T H E R S I M C H A S , M I C R O W E D D I N G S , S H O W E R S , P A R T I E S & M O R E !

day parties, corporate training meetings and a wellness-care summit.

“We have an advanced projector and screen with Apple TV hook-up installed, so it’s great for football or movie parties,” said Turner. “We’re also taking bookings for photo and video shoots.”

She said they offer special rates to non-profits and for charity fundrais ers. For more information, go to www.avenuedbham.net

B&A Warehouse remains popular Simcha space across from Railroad Park

The

in Birmingham’s B&A Warehouse could stand for “B’nai.”

popular Simcha space located across the street from Railroad Park has hosted many B’nai Mitzvah, as well as Jewish weddings

other celebrations, since opening as an event space in 1999.

“The great thing about the B&A is that it is an open canvas, so people

really

the

to fit it with their celebration,” said B&A

Haley Roebuck.

With life getting back to normal, they are seeing larger events being scheduled, said Roebuck, adding that they can host up to 800 people for a reception-style event. “We can really do anything,” said Roebuck. “We’re very versatile and accommodating.”

Recently, the B&A introduced a new, larger stage, among other inter nal enhancements. They have three fully stocked bars and three event spaces of different sizes.

The past year saw an increase in the number of events the B&A team catered off-site, including the Magic City Acceptance Center’s Open House and an appreciation event for McWane Center employees. The B&A also catered a few events at Railroad Park across the street.

Chef Deborah Thomas specializes in Southern cuisine, but Roebuck said they are happy to do customized menus including kosher-style and even family recipes. They also can accommodate those who keep strict kosher and need meals brought into the facility.

“That’s one reason why the ‘food stations’ are so popular,” said Roe buck. “You can select what you want and go kosher-style.”

Need Clergy?

by Debra Malone

Historic Generations Hall has hosted top events for… generations

Known as one of the top event spots in New Orleans, Generations Hall perfectly captures the colorful history and rich culture of New Orleans.

Built in the early 1820s, the idyllic building was originally constructed as a sugar refinery and later became the centerpiece of the Italian Pavilion at the 1984 World’s Fair. Before being renamed to Generations Hall, the historic facility was home to City Lights, the hottest and most prominent nighttime attraction in New Orleans.

Over the past three decades, the popularity and love of the historic event facility has flourished, as Generations Hall has been hosting the city’s top-of-the-line events for generations.

Featuring original brick walls, ornate balconies and a French Quar ter-style courtyard to greet guests before entering the front doors, Gener ations Hall has its own unique personality blended with historic glamour and modern touches.

Meticulously designed to host any event, no matter how intimate or elaborate, Generations Hall specializes in fitting anyone’s needs. With three spacious rooms each with its own distinct features, the spaces can be rented separately or as a whole so guests can customize any space to fit any party.

Generations Hall features state-of-the-art audio and video technology, as well as custom lighting throughout the venue. Their expert audio and visual technician will create a unique sound and lighting experience de signed for the personal needs of any event.

Generations Hall believes guests shouldn’t have to worry about every little detail, which is why they take the stress out of event planning by providing exceptional service from a dedicated team. Included in the rental is the expertise of event managers, bartenders, bar-backs, door security, floor staff, a DJ, and an Audio/Video Technician. To further en sure that an event meets every expectation, they also provide a variety of high-end furniture at no additional cost.

Invite the people, and Generations Hall will set the stage, customizing each event to make it one to remember.

food & dining

Hopping through years of planning to make a beer dream reality at Bywater

As an attorney, New Orleans’ Nahum Laventhal did a lot of traveling, and when he was on the road he would always look for brew pubs. “I’m not a Bud Light kind of guy,” he said. “I have always liked craft beers.”

He has practiced law for 40 years, and said that for about 20 years he had a dream of having his own brew pub. That dream came true with the opening of Bywater Brew Pub in late 2020, a full-scale brewery with a full-service bar and restaurant.

He used to make his own craft beer at home, but after Katrina his sup plier was no longer around. He kept working toward his dream, and in 2013 took a major step forward with the purchase of the building where the brew pub is now located.

“I didn’t want to do a production brewery, I wanted to have a social gathering place, where I could greet people and they could drink the beer here,” he said.

Because of how the laws are structured, to serve alcohol, he had to offer food. He “had no idea” what he wanted to do for a menu, but his son Dylan’s roommate connected them with Anh Luu.

Born in New Orleans, Luu was raised in the local Vietnamese commu nity, and had returned to the city after several years in Portland, where she had a restaurant, Tapalaya, where she had developed a Viet-Cajun menu. “The next thing I knew, we have a Viet-Cajun menu.”

Luu has been on “Chopped” and “Grill Dads” on Food Network. Dylan Laventhal is also part of the team at Bywater Brew Pub. Sonny Day, also a New Orleans native, is the brewmaster. He has al most three decades of professional and home brewing experience, with the original Dixie Beer, Abita, Gordon Biersch and Urban South.

After getting the building, it took several years to put together financ ing and transform the property, which had two floors of artist work spac es. Many art studios are still located on the second floor.

The building is 105 years old, and “we pay a lot of homage to the histo ry of the place,” Laventhal said. It used to house World Bottling Compa ny, which produced several local sodas, most notably Dr. Nut.

The downstairs was renovated from 2018 to 2020, and they were finally ready to open… in the middle of a pandemic. “That was a problem,” he said. But they overcame it, along with the typical New Orleans summer doldrums and Hurricane Ida, “which threw us for a loop and decimated our kitchen.”

Now, the biggest challenge is labor shortages. That is why their sched ule is currently just Friday to Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., and Mondays from 4 to 9 p.m. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. “We’re trying to open

food & dining

up more, and I hope we get there,” he said. To attract talent, they are offering benefits that include a 401k, “which is unusual in a service industry business.”

Bywater has 12 taps of different “incredible” beers brewed on site, some of them seasonal. Customers can purchase four-packs, growlers or kegs, but their beers are not sold in stores or other establishments.

The menu features pub fare with Louisiana and Vietnamese twists, such as crawfish etouf fee nachos, where the nachos are fried wontons. There is a Vietnamese glass noodle soup and steak lettuce wraps, steak frites, burgers, “sweet and sticky” wings, a “phorrito” of pho wrapped in a tortilla, a tofu banh mi burger, salads and beer beignet bites.

“The food is excellent,” Laventhal said.

They have a trivia night every Monday, and he makes the space available for community meetings, as well as private events, including simchas. They also feature art from local artists, many of whom have studios upstairs.

As 2023 approaches, “We’re optimistic,” Laventhal said. “Tourists are coming back,” but he also encourages fellow members of the local Jewish community to drop in and have a L’Chaim with him.

Discover your story at L’Auberge Baton Rouge

Special to Southern Jewish Life

Fall is all about coming together, and what better way to get together with friends and fami ly than with a trip to L’Auberge Baton Rouge Ca sino and Hotel? Experience a legendary escape unlike any other at the South’s premier gaming and entertainment destination.

A contemporary iteration of a classic lodge, L’Auberge is a tribute to the beauty, tradition and vibrance of Baton Rouge. We feature the latest greats and classic favorites — 1,200 ex hilarating slots grace our casino floor, com bined with over 50 of the area’s most exciting table games.

Need some fresh air? Step out onto River bend Terrace II, featuring over 2,400 square feet of open-air gaming, over 91 slot machines, table games, and a full bar.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip down South without enjoying your fair share of delicious food. At L’Auberge Baton Rouge, guests can indulge in the region’s finest cuisine at one of our four distinct outlets. Start your morning off right with a fresh cup of PJ’s Coffee, grab a quick bite at Bon Temps Market, feast on eclectic PanAsian and Vietnamese cuisine at Red Lotus

Asian Kitchen, and dine on prime cuts of beef and perfectly paired wines at 18 STEAK.

Beginning Oct. 21, guests can enjoy an all-inclusive gameday experience at our new Barstool Sportsbook venue. Our 22- by 12foot big screen puts you right in the middle of all the action while you enjoy exceptional food and drink in an exciting atmosphere. Raise the stakes by stepping onto the sports-betting floor, then celebrate your next big win over drinks in the bar and lounge area. Cheer your team to victory in this brand new, high-octane sports food and gaming experience.

As the sun sets over the Mississippi, the party is just getting started, with top-name en tertainment hitting the stage in our 1,600-seat event venue. And finally, when it’s time to get away from it all, retreat to true Southern ele gance in our AAA Four-Diamond hotel to ex perience the epitome of fine Louisiana living. Each gracious guest room and lavish suite tells a story, ready for you to explore. All rooms in clude views of either the Mississippi River or the city of Baton Rouge.

After a night’s rest, be sure to take a dip and grab a cocktail at our unique rooftop pool.

Trattoria Zaza a slice of the good life in downtown Birmingham

By Lee J. Green

Trattoria Zaza brings a slice (or two) of the good life from Rome to home in downtown Birmingham with its pizza and pastas.

“You can walk down any street in Rome to get this delicious, unique Roma Italiano-style rectangle pizza,” said co-owner Bryan Stanfield. He had been working at the restaurant since 2010, shortly after it opened, and took ownership in 2015 with partner Erica Schmidt. “We wanted to bring that experience and appreciate all the support we’ve gotten from the community.”

The eatery on 20th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue North serves piz zas, pastas, soups and salads for lunch and dinner during the week, along with their weekend brunch, including egg dishes, French Toast and a mix ture of Italian favorites, as well as a few Southern breakfast staples.

“We change the menu seasonally and we change the brunch menu every weekend to keep it fresh,” said Stanfield. Speaking of fresh, Trattoria Zaza works with many local growers and other food providers.

Stanfield, who is originally from Nashville, said his father was an exec utive chef at a well-known steak house in Indianapolis. “I learned to love cooking at a young age, and I have several Roman Jewish cookbooks I’ve scoured,” he said.

Trattoria ZaZa has several kosher-style pizzas, soups, pastas, salads and egg dishes on its menu. They also can customize any menu item to accommodate.

Stanfield said that they renovated and expanded the restaurant in 2019, just a few months before Covid hit. “When we re-opened, we only did curb side for a while and I’m proud of everyone for how we were able to pivot and best serve our customers,” he said. “That’s when we started doing online or dering and then paperless menu. Those have now become the norm for us.”

Trattoria Zaza does some off-site catering and simcha celebrants can rent out the restaurant, which accommodates 70 people inside, along with about 25 on the patio.

Stanfield credited his team for the success of the restaurant. “We appre ciate our people and we have a few who have been with us many years,” he said. “Treating employees and customers like they are a part of the family… is a recipe for success.

Arrabbiata Tomato Sauce

Arrabbiata is a spicy garlicky tomato sauce that hails from the Lazio Region of Italy. Literally meaning angry, this fiery sauce is a staple at ZaZa.

Ingredients:

1 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes plums

1 head garlic

1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake

2 tablespoons, 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions:

Start by peeling all the cloves from one full head of garlic. Take care to go evenly. Once sliced, run a knife through multiple times to evenly mince the garlic.

Take a small sauce pot. Pour oil in and bring up the heat to a mediumlow. Let the oil heat fully. Once your garlic is fully browned, add chili flakes and quickly toast for 15-20 seconds until fragrant.

Then add the tomatoes; cut the heat off and crush the plum tomatoes by hand. Add salt and bring to a low simmer for 30 minutes.  Your sauce is complete. Toss it through some penne, top with some fresh parsley, pecorino cheese, fresh vegetables and enjoy.

Publix offers growing kosher products selection, recipes

By Lee J. Green

Publix Supermarkets continues to grow its kosher product inventory at its Alabama and Florida locations.

Publix also offers some food for thought with a diverse selection of kosher recipes on its website www.publix.com.

“Publix is committed to providing quality products and services to all of our customers, including customers who are interested in kosher products and recipes,” said Nicole Strauss, media relations manager at the Publix Atlanta division office.

“We have hundreds of kosher products throughout our stores, not just during important holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Passover, but on ev eryday items from our produce, grocery and frozen departments,” she added.

Herb Salmon with Cherry Relish

Ingredients:

2 (6 oz) salmon fillets, skin removed

Large zip-top bag

1 tablespoon fresh basil

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, divided

2 teaspoons roasted garlic-herb seasoning, divided

3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) cherries

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions:

Place salmon in bag (and wash hands). Chop herbs finely; combine basil, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon seasoning, and 2 teaspoons oil. Place herb mixture in bag with salmon. Seal bag and knead lightly to coat fillets.

Preheat grill (or grill pan) on medium. Pit cherries and chop coarsely.

Preheat small saucepan on medium 1 to 2 minutes. Place garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan; cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cherries, vinegar, sugar, and remaining 1 teaspoon seasoning and 1 teaspoon thyme; cook relish 3 to 4 minutes until thickened.

Place salmon on grill; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side until center of salmon flakes easily and is 145°F. Serve salmon topped with relish.

Note: Always check fish for bones.

Traditions ENDURE

Alloy Thai

Birmingham alloythai.com (205) 243-5660

Chef Josh Haynes studied in Thailand and brought back authentic flavors and specialties, with traditional family style servings. He caters events and private dinners, and does occasional popups.

The Fish Market

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

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

I Love Tina and Gina’s

1821 2nd Avenue North Birmingham (470) 292-7475

A New York style deli in the Pizitz Food Hall, I Love Tina and Gina’s offers large sandwiches, such as the Tommy Pastrami and the Boogie Down Bronx Chopped Cheese.

Zaza Trattoria

207 20th Street North, Birmingham www.zazabham.com (205) 202-6207

Serving Roman-style rectangular pizza since 2009, along with seasonally inspired salads, specials and soups, as well as traditional Roman pastas, and a famous weekend brunch.

Willie Mae’s

2401 St. Ann Street, New Orleans Pythian Market, New Orleans (504) 822-9503 williemaesnola.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House started as a Treme bar in 1957, and is now home to “America’s Best Fried Chicken” and in 2005 was named a James Beard America’s Classic Restaurant.

M Bistro

921 Canal Street, New Orleans inside the Ritz-Carlton

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

Tartine

7217 Perrier Street, New Orleans tartineneworleans.com (504) 866-4860

A full-scale brewery, bar and restaurant serving Cajun/ Vietnamese/Gastropub food. Locally owned and operated by Nahum Laventhal, our space also features art from local artists!

Kosher Cajun

Severn Avenue, Metairie (504) 888-2010

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

Acropolis on Freret

4510 Freret Street (504) 309-0069

Acropolis On Freret features only the best, freshest and most authentic dishes from the Mediterranean region. Our newest menu item, the Falafel Burger! This burger is made up of a falafel cake and packed with flavor.

Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak

215 Bourbon St. (504) 335-3932

The premier destination in the Vieux Carré for enjoying the finest cocktails and traditional steakhouse fare. Galatoire’s “33” Bar & Steak is New Orleans’ next great tradition in a restored historic building that begins a new chapter in Galatoire’s storied history.

Southern

Catering business is Chai Thai for son of LJCC executive director Alloy Thai offers authentic experience

By Lee J. Green

Josh Haynes believes there is a strong “Thai” between food, culture and family.

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

A few years ago, the son of Levite Jewish Community Center Executive Director Ai mee Johnson launched Alloy Thai and has catered several events for the Birmingham area Jewish community.

“For me, food and culture are very closely linked,” said Haynes. “Anytime I’m doing a catering job or hosting a spe cial dinner, I enjoy learning more about the culture and the food. I want it to be an im mersive experience.”

Haynes said he grew up cooking and worked at restau rants throughout high school and during his days at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He would then go on to pursue Thai Studies at Thammasat in Thailand, before starting Alloy Thai in 2015.

The name is a play off the Thai word “aroy,” which means delicious, and steel alloy for Birmingham. Haynes caters events and dinners, with a minimum $300 order.

“I’ve really enjoyed introducing people who have never been to Thai land to some authentic foods, specialties and a greater understanding of the culture,” he said.

Haynes said traditional Thai meals are made to be shared and usual ly include a variety of dishes — soups, curries, relishes, salads — all to be eaten with rice. To facilitate this experience, they offer multi-course set menus comprising a range of dishes, as well as rice and curry shop popups. Alloy Thai also can design customized menus for catered cele brations and private dinners.

Haynes is not Jewish, though he has some relatives who are. “I’ve learned a great deal about my Jewish family and I’ve studied kosher di etary law extensively,” he said.

Haynes has catered Shabbat Around the World programs for Chabad of Alabama, the next one of which will be a Korean-style dinner on Nov. 11; a Temple Beth-El Ruach event as well as several B’nai Mitzvah, wed dings and other celebrations in the Jewish community. He also super vised the kitchen for the LJCC Food and Culture Fest this past spring.

“It’s a bit difficult to do a full Thai kosher meal, but I’ve done several Mediterranean, Moroccan and Asian-themed ones,” he said. “I’ve en joyed coming up with creative substitutes for non-kosher items, but you want to keep with the integrity and flavor of the dish.”

Haynes has an extensive garden at his house in Irondale and has de veloped some good connections for getting some harder-to-find items. “Sometimes the menus depend upon what is in season. With everything I do, I want to make sure to use the freshest ingredients… and to provide a

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.

Foundation to honor Ruth Kullman for service to Touro Infirmary

On Nov. 10, the Judah Touro Infir mary Foundation’s Judah Touro Soci ety will honor Ruth Kullman as this year’s recipient of the Judah Touro Society Award.

The award has been given each year for the past 32 years to a member of the Touro family who has demon strated outstanding leadership and support of the hospital. Kullman was nominated by members of the society and selected by past award recipients.

After earning her master’s in social work from Tulane University, Ruth spent several years of her professional career at Jewish Family Services, where she developed the teen suicide prevention program, and the Jew ish Federation of Greater New Orleans, where she was campaign director. In 2002, she developed Kullman Consulting.

Kullman has served as board chair for Planned Parenthood of Louisi ana, Touro Synagogue, and Touro Infirmary. She also dedicated her time to the Institute of Mental Hygiene, New Schools for New Orleans, and Live Oak Wilderness Camp, where she was an active member of their boards.

She currently serves as the board chair of E Pluribus Unum, an orga nization focused on cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are advancing racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpet uate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change.

Kullman joined the Touro Governing Board in 2007, playing an in tegral role in supporting the hospital as it joined Children’s Hospital to become a member of LCMC Health in 2009. During her tenure as board chair from 2012 to 2013, Touro accomplished numerous achievements, including extensive renovations and a new infusion center expanding cancer services. In 2012, Touro reached a milestone in maternity services, delivering more than 3,000 babies, the second highest delivery hospital in the state, leading to the expansion of the NICU.

In 2009, Kullman joined the LCMC Health Board, where she has supported the health system’s growth from a two-hospital health system serving Uptown New Orleans, to a six-hospital health system serving the Gulf Coast region and beyond.

In 2013 she received the Hannah G. Solomon Award from the National Council of Jewish Women’s New Orleans Section.

Nursing Nests

This year’s event will tie in with Touro’s 100th anniversary of being “Where Babies Come From.” Proceeds will benefit a new “Nursing Nests” program which will provide safe, clean and comfortable spaces around New Orleans for mothers to breastfeed.

Aside from creating locations at local businesses and venues, Touro has created a Mobile Nursing Nest to be available at events, parades and more.

The award dinner will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Audubon Tea Room. The event is chaired by Susan and Lou Good, and Jan and Steven Yellin.

Tickets are $200. Judah Touro Society membership is $1,500, which includes two tickets.

More At katie4louisiana.com

“Fiddler” behind the scenes, at Uptown JCC

How did “Fiddler on the Roof” become one of the most beloved films?

The Uptown Jewish Community Center in New Orleans will screen “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen,” about the making of “Fiddler.” Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, this engrossing in sider account captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison’s quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a widescreen epic. Using never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews, the film explores how the experience of making Fiddler deep ened Jewison as an artist and revived his soul.

The film will be screened on Nov. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is free, reservations are re quested. The screening is part of the Cathy and Morris Bart Jewish Cultural Arts Series.

The series will continue on Dec. 1 with “Lat ter Day Jew,” the hilarious, often moving jour ney of H. Alan Scott, a gay, former Mormon/Jew by choice/cancer survivor/writer-comedian, as he finds his spiritual path and prepares for his bar mitzvah.

Contest Helps Students Engage With Israel@75

The Center for Israel Education is building on its content offerings for third- to 12th-grad ers with a contest allowing all students to think deeply about Israel’s 75th anniversary, and to create representations of Israel’s challenges, suc cesses and visions for the future.

Third- to fifth-graders are asked to design a commemorative Israel@75 stamp and to ex plain their work in no more than 150 words.

Sixth- to eighth-graders are asked to design a poster in the tradition of Zionist posters and to write 250 words about the need it identifies.

Ninth- to 12th-graders are asked to create a museum exhibit depicting 75 years of change in some element of the unfinished state of Israel through a sequence of artifacts, images, video clips or other media, and to explain the work in a 500-word essay.

The contest is open to students worldwide who can submit in English. All submissions must be made electronically by Feb. 15. Contest requirements and the submission form can be accessed at israeled.org/israel-at-75/contest

CIE will award prizes to the top three sub missions in each age group. Winners will be announced April 20.

CIE is offering this contest as part of a broad er learning initiative all year for Israel’s 75th year of independence. Visit israeled.org/isra el-at-75 for details.

New Orleans Opera opens season with “Hansel and Gretel”

The New Orleans Opera Association returns to the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts in November with Engelbert Humper dinck’s “Hansel and Gretel,” based on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale.

Hansel and Gretel, the children of a poor broom maker and his wife, are sent into the woods to collect strawberries. After spending the night lost in the woods, the siblings wake to find a gingerbread house, the home of the witch.

While the children munch on parts of the house, the witch emerges and captures them with a spell. She puts Hansel in a cage to fatten him up and releases Gretel to assist in preparing the oven. Gretel breaks the witch’s spell and frees Hansel. When the witch is tricked into showing Gretel how to use the oven, the siblings push her in, saving other ginger bread children and happily reuniting with their parents.

Mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, in the role of Hansel, has been perform ing opera around the world for over a decade. She was hailed by Opera News as one of opera’s rising stars and one of the best singing actresses of her generation. She also received a Grammy nomination for her work on Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain.

Cast in the role of Gretel, soprano Meechot Marrero, whom El Nuevo Día called, “a revelation… a young Puerto Rican star with a great career ahead,” has performed extensively in Puerto Rico and with the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

In the role of the Witch is Chauncey Packer, an American tenor who hails from southern Alabama and holds music degrees from University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University. His 2019-2020 engagements included his Metropolitan Opera debut in the roles of Sportin’ Life, Rob bins and Crabman in “Porgy and Bess.” He has performed across the globe, including the famed La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy.

Directed by E. Loren Meeker, this 140-minute production is sung in English with projected English captions. The opera features the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Daniela Candillari, the Jerry W. Zachary and Henry Bernstein Maestro Chair.

Performances are Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Single tickets range from $32 to $227 and are available online or by calling the Box Office at (504) 529-3000. Tickets for children and students are $10, anywhere in the house with the exception of box seating.

A free pre-opera party will begin on Nov. 18 at 6:15 p.m., followed at 6:30 p.m. by the Nuts and Bolts pre-performance lecture. On Nov. 20, the pre-opera party will begin at 1:15 p.m., followed at 1:30 p.m. by Nuts and Bolts.

The New Orleans Opera season will continue Jan. 20 to 22 with Schny der’s “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” and March 24 to 26 with Puccini’s “Ma dame Butterfly.”

Nola 52

The Nov. 20 production of “Hansel and Gretel” will include the draw ing for a unique raffle to support the New Orleans Opera.

Nola 52: The Big Eat includes dinner for two each week for a year. The winner will receive gift certificates to 52 of the best restaurants in the New Orleans area, for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The restaurants range from Acme Oyster House to Ye Olde College Inn, with numerous classics represented, along with more recent notable places.

The winner could, of course, decide to simply have 52 days of dining in a row, rather than spread it out over the year.

Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, at $100 for one chance, $500 for six chances. Poppy Tooker, host of “Louisiana Eats!” will announce the win ner.

Tickets are available at neworleansopera.org/nola-52.

Week

Southern

Federico’s

Larry

Thone,

Gifts for Gender Reveal

ADL Concert Against Hate

The South-Central Region of the Anti-Defa mation League’s Concert Against Hate returned on Sept. 29 from a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic doldrums with a tribute to activist Will Snowden and Basketball Hall of Famer Swin Cash.

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm

METAIRIE 5101 W. Esplanade Ave at Chastant DESTREHAN 3001 Ormond Blvd. at entrance to Ormond Estates 504-407-3532 nolagiftsanddecoronline.com

Coordinated by co-chairs Allison Kupperman and Brittany Wolf-Freedman, the event at the New Orleans Jazz Market raised over $100,000 to support ADL programs in fighting hate.

Board Chair Caroline Good said “though ADL’s work can be heavy, the evening was one of solidarity and joy, two of the most effective antidotes to hate.”

Snowden is the Louisiana director of the Vera Institute of Justice, which works to makes the “justice” system more “just.” He founded the Ju ror Project to increase minority representation on juries, and played a major role in the Unani mous Jury coalition that led to Louisiana scrap ping a segregation-era rule that jury decisions did not need to be unanimous.

He thanked those in his past and present who have served as “gardeners” tending to the seeds within him, and encouraged everyone to be gar deners to others.

A four-time WNBA All Star, Cash is now vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans. She was instrumental in having the Smoothie King Center as an early voting location in 2020, pro tecting voting rights during the pandemic.

Cash is the founder of Cash Building Blocks, an urban development company that renovates and offers affordable homes for low income fam ilies; the Cash for Kids Charity, whose mission is to motivate, educate and elevate kids through physical fitness, nutrition, education, cultural trips, and sports camps. She has also worked ex tensively with the NBA as a global ambassador for social responsibility and NBA Cares.

She encouraged everyone to use their plat forms for good, and to work for the protection of children.

As the main part of the evening was a con cert, Snowden took the unusual step of playing before speaking, giving a performance on cello.

Roccadile did the pre-ceremony music, while Sweet Crude headlined the concert.

Photos courtesy Scott Myers Photography Honorees Will Snowden (above) and Swin Cash (below)

NCJW hosts program with Hannah Chalew

The National Council of Jewish Women’s New Orleans Section will have a studio tour and recycled paper making workshop with Hannah Chalew, Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at her workshop. Chalew’s art focuses on liv ing in a time of global warming, specifically dealing with the effects on Southern Louisiana. She was recently named the 2022 Artist of the South by Southern Arts.

She will lead a tour of her studio, discussing recent works, the research behind her art, and her environmentally sustainable practices in her studio.

Chalew will then led a workshop on making hand-made recycled pa per, and participants will leave with their own mixed-media paper sheets. Registration is $25, and is available on the NCJW website.

>> Rear Pew

continued from page

being broken through — a precursor to the destruction of the Second Temple which Tisha B’Av commemorates, among other things.

Rav Kook’s Guide said that, starting on the 17th of Tammuz, any baked goods during these three weeks should have crumble toppings, to temper their sweetness with a reminder of the crumbling walls and tablets.

Among all of this, however, Rav Kook’s greatest contribution was a ubiquitous treat that’s liked by Jews and non-Jews alike, throughout the world: The cookie.

Doug Brook sincerely hopes that the spirit of Rav Kook, and any of his liv ing adherents, have a sense of humor. For nearly several more laughs, listen to the (REALLY!) FIVE-star rated Rear Pew Mirror podcast at anchor.fm/ rearpewmirror or on any major podcast platform. For past columns, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/

Breast care with an emphasis on care.

Introducing the Touro Breast Care Center

No two women are the same. Their treatment plans shouldn’t be either. At the Touro Breast Care Center, we go beyond mammograms and checkups to provide women a collaborative and comprehensive approach to care. Our focus on prevention, treatment, and survivorship, ensures the women in our community receive the best care possible in a dedicated outpatient center. From advanced technology to patient navigation and individual care plans, Touro is setting a new standard in breast care.

Experience the difference at touro.com/breastcare

Rav Kook’s Guide to Simcha Dining

Rav Kook was the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi during the British man date period in the early Twentieth Century before the modern state of Israel was founded and changed the name to Twentieth Century Fox.

His commentaries are often quoted today in sermons near and far. Sometimes they’re even heard over the snoring.

What nobody knows is that, as his name suggests, Rav Kook was also a gourmet. To find evidence of this, look no further than this column because evidence doesn’t exist anywhere else. Maimonides provided the generations with his Guide for the Perplexed, so in that tradition Rav Kook provided his recently discovered Guide to Simcha Dining.

Of course, Rav Kook’s culinary capabilities catered to the kosher com munity. But he didn’t focus on the obvious food choices such as apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah, oily fried things on Chanukah, or cold cuts at a bris. He chose to emphasize other, more unusual choices — sometimes for occasions that usually associate with no food at all.

For example, Yom Kippur is known not for its food, rather for its lack of it. For the last meal before Kol Nidre, Rav Kook’s Guide recommends that Jews dine on rack of lamb in homage to the scapegoat that was tradi tionally sent into the wilderness on Yom Kippur carrying all the people’s sins. Similarly, he said people should finish with a slice of devil’s food cake to symbolically eat away their sins before their sins eat away at them.

On Yom Kippur, in seeking forgiveness, Jews say “s’lach lanu” (forgive us). The next day, when hastily putting up Sukkahs, it’s replaced with “schach lanu” (schach us). But that roof foliage isn’t the only plant-life to invade this temporary outer sanctum.

In honor of the lulav, which itself is a palm frond, Rav Kook ate heart of palm — not to symbolize one’s heartfelt observance of Sukkot, but to symbolize the blood (which a heart pumps) that’s inevitably spilled while assembling the Sukkah.

For Simchat Torah, Rav Kook gave no specific food guidance. He merely stated that one should begin with dessert and then have the starter course, in honor of the day’s ritual of starting with the end of the Torah and then going back to the start of it.

The Tenth of Tevet is a minor fast day one week after the end of Chanukah. A fast day at that time might seem welcome after all the latkes, sufganiyot, and other petro leum-based provisions. But it actually commemorates Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem which led to the destruction of the First Temple, the end of the kingdom of Judah, and the start of the Babylonian exile.

Rav Kook’s Guide suggests that for the meals before and after the Tenth of Tevet — a day of doom at the hands of Babylonia — one should take a symbolic bite out of this ancient oppressor by eating beef bologna. (Say Babylonia out loud. There it is.)

Rav Kook’s food of choice for Lag B’Omer originated as a result of circumstance rather than any deep-rooted meaning. Lingering from the seder on Passover, the leftover gefilte fish — having had a month — co alesced into a single large mass. So, inevitably, a key concoction for Lag B’Omer was this giant seafood substance, which Rav Kook gave the time ly name of gefilte log.

The fast days of the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av bookend a threeweek period of mourning during which there are various dietary restric tions. The 17th of Tammuz itself commemorates, among other things, Moses breaking the two tablets at Mount Sinai, and the walls of Jerusalem

Kook’s book gives food for thought