Cohesion of the New Orleans Jewish Community

Working for the Jewish community in Ukraine, I have participated in many trainings and seminars. However, I have never experienced such a touching, educational and well-organized one. During the seminar we met different people: the president of Jewish Federation and his wife, executive director of Jewish Family Service, various Jewish citizens of New-Orleans, and many others. Although all these people were different, they were strongly connected by the catastrophe that had happened in New Orleans and they all had a story to share. Conversing and listening to them was an amazing experience for me since I come from a country where sharing of emotions is considered to be almost a shame. All the people we met were very sincere when telling us about the return home after Katrina, how terrified they were to see what had happened with their houses and with their city where they had resided from generation to generation. The wife of the president of the Federation told us how happy she and her husband were to find parts of their children’s Bar and Bat-Mitzvah pictures, how wonderful it was to realize that they could live at home again, and how terrible the feeling was that everything they owned had been destroyed by the Hurricane.
There is no way that people will forget about the horrors of Katrina, but it is of vital importance to remember that this catastrophe offered so many opportunities for the people of New Orleans, chances to start new lives, chances to become stronger and strengthen their will and beliefs. I am sure that people who were lucky to survive that terrible hurricane value every moment of their lives much more than they previously did.

-Ira Gubenko

Overall Impressions and Recommendations to the New Orleans Jewish Community

Hello Dr. Andron,

I put my evaluation in the mail to you today.

Additionally, with regard to overall impressions and recommendations to Michael Weil, the most impressive aspect of this Jewish community to me has been their incredible ability to embrace new ideas and recognize the limitless possibilities a "let's try it" attitude presents. Recognizing opportunity in the face of negative circumstance is the key to progress. Cynicism is a contagious and often deadly disease.

However, I think a cautious eye needs to be alert to the probability that, once this "honeymoon" phase (for lack of a better term) of collaborative partnership out of dire necessity is not longer quite the urgent need, possessiveness of each agency's own domain will once again become the prevailing norm. This is not cynicism, but an acknowledgment of natural growth processes.

Additionally, as funds have been and continue to be depleted by revitalizing efforts (such as the Newcomer's program - which probably carries a hefty price tag), fundraising continues to be the paramount issue (for communities across the country as well, as most wealthy donors have lost in the range of 20-40% of their net worth in market recession). This is an enormous challenge. How is this community prepared to account for this?

I hope my thoughts help your class formulate new ideas and suggestions.

Best Regards,

Alyssa Rudinsky

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A Professor's Reflections -- One Week Later

Reflections:
· First impressions were very powerful. The desolation, the extreme pain that was experienced by so many, the loss of property, personal effects, and loved ones – no way to compartmentalize any of this. It was brutal, palpable, and pervasive.
· This, contrasted greatly by the resiliency, hopefulness, extraordinary resourcefulness, and the real love for their city. New Orleanians are fiercely loyal to their city. Those who left did so mainly because there was no hope for them if they returned – no home, no opportunity for restitution from either government or insurance providers, a loss of support and social network, or a chance for a new beginning elsewhere.
· The articulation by members of the community that they were still experiencing primary trauma, not PTSD spoke volumes about the pain and, even, fear they lived with on a daily basis. And, their pleas that we bring the message home not to forget them; they were still not whole.

There is so much to do to heal a broken world, but I felt uplifted at the end of our time there, grateful that we had had an opportunity to give back to this community in tangible ways. The work is not nearly done, just beginning, really, but we have been a part of that beginning and we can continue to do more, even from NY….We can use our collective will and creativity to continue the mission…..Share your thoughts and ideas!!!

- Professor Lyn Levy

Reflections on Monday 11/10, From the Plane

Monday began with a discussion at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans with several leaders of the organization, such as Neil Schneider the Director of Planning, Michael Weil the Executive Director, and Sherri Tarr the Campaign Director. It was agreed upon that the Jewish residents in New Orleans could not rely on the government or FEMA for assistance at this time of desperation; however the Jewish institutions proved they could be relied upon. This reality was reinforced throughout the trip as we visited areas such as the Ninth Ward and the Settlement House as well as met with other New Orleanians who spoke of the same lack of aid which was universally experienced. We were very inspired by the loyalty, effectiveness and strength the Jewish community portrayed during and after Katrina.

We concluded our day by jazzing it up at the Snug Harbor where Charmaine Neville crooned to the beat of her band. But before she began her set, we were happily surprised to hear her thank the visitors of New Orleans who have taken the time to experience the culture as well as the devastation that took place in August 2005. It was nice to see the appreciation she felt but shocking to see that after three years they were still struggling.

-Karen Lander & Adena Stern

Blog for Monday 11/10

Today was dedicated to learning about how lay leaders of the Jewish community worked together after Katrina. In the morning, we met with the president of the Federation Michael Wasserman, executive director Michael Weil, immediate past president Allan Bissinger, campaign director Sherri Tarr, and executive director of Jewish Family Services Deena Gerber. In the afternoon, we met with executive director Arlene Baron of the Uptown JCC, as well as Hillel of Tulane director Rabbi Yonah Schiller. Each of these members gave us such an in depth description of how they worked together as a to help the Jewish community during this time period. As I was sitting there listening to them speak, I was so impressed with the way they were so organized and were able to really come together to help other. In the past I have been taught just how important good communication skills are in any relationship. I find it astonishing just how great these skills are within the Federation in New Orleans and I truly believe that without it, the community could not have succeeded as much as it did in the face of Katrina. The federation truly sets a precedent that I believe all communities should take into consideration during such a disaster.

What also impressed me was the way the Jewish community helped not only Jews, but the entire community. Arlene Baron discussed how the JCC was one of the first buildings to be opened after the flood, and the building was used by FEMA as a place for people to receive services. On top of this, the gym facilities and showers were used by all community members, both Jews and non-Jews alike. The JCC brought so much relief to the community and helped out in so many ways during this time. For many, this was the only form of relief found for months after the floods. This is something that is so important.

All in all, today was an awesome day. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, and can’t wait to share it all with people back in NY!

-Danielle Skurnick

New Orleans Still Needs Our Help

Today was our first encounter with the general Greater New Orlean Community. Our group had the opportunity to visit the Seventh Ward which was greatly devastated by the flooding that ensued as a result of Katrina. This area of New Orleans differed from the communities we had previously visited by both race and socio economic status. The Seventh Ward is primarily occupied by lower class African Americans. We were given a tour of the neighborhood by Pastor Bruce Davenport and his wife both members and religious leaders of this neighborhood. As we drove down the streets of the Seventh Ward we encountered very little life. Empty lots and abandoned houses lined both sides of the neighborhoods streets, each with a story. A once vibrant community now remained desolate.

Anyone passing through the Seventh Ward would view the rebuilding of this area as hopeless and so did I at first. Pastor Davenport shed a different light onto the situation. Our group had the opportunity to partake in community service this afternoon. We were split into three groups. One group painted the outside of Pastor Davenport's youth center, the second group sheet rocked Pastor Davenport's home and the third group visited isolated elderly in the neighborhood. I was privilaged to be one of the individuals who met with the isolated elderly. It was inspiring to speak to these individuals who had lost their homes, their neighbors, their communities and in a sense their independence but still managed to maintain a positive outlook and life and their community being rebuilt. This experience not only informed me of the immense help still needed in rebuilding New Orleans but also taught me a personal valuable lesson that there is so much to live for even in such a devastating situation. We all have difficult times in our life andmany times we are tempted to throw in the towel. These elderly people as well as the city of New Orleans in general has given me insight and strenth that no matter how hard life might get I can never give up, we can never give up. I will take this lesson learned with me forever.

Written By: Gaby Abramson

Here We Are

I initially planned on writing about the plane ride however being that I slept the entire way, I did not have much to add. I also knew that once I met the group of professionals and lay leaders last night in the warm and open home of Mike and Lyn Wasserman, I had to write about them.

The New Orleans Jewish community has officially amazed me and touched my heart. They speak of their community with pride and when they use the pronoun "we" you know that they mean it. The Wassermans opened their home and the group who spoke to us opened their minds and hearts. During our informal discussion in their living room, sitting on the floor and in comfortable chairs, they touched on what it feels like to be rebuilding their lives, having lost friends, and welcoming new comers.

From a social work mindset, I noticed the pain and anger in their voices but the resiliency that shone through. Most striking to me was the understanding that they had for each other and the connectedness that they shared after sharing the pain of Katrina.

And their humor and kindness is remarkable.

-Chana Topek, '09

Dinner with Leadership

Tonight offered us a unique opportunity to begin a dialogue with the Jewish Community of New Orleans' dedicated leaders and professionals. We were able to hear both the positive and negative impacts of Hurricane Katrina in relation to the continuing functioning of Federation and community organizing ranging to the personal relationships strengthened and hindered by the storm. I was extremely touched by the loyalty shown to this city and greatly moved by the community's rallying to move forward and seek growth and opportunity from such a dark and horrific tragedy. Alana Getzler