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Newcomers Incentive Program
Jewish Newcomers Program

Interested in learning more about the Newcomers Incentive Program?

Contact Jody Portnoff Braunig, Newcomers Coordinator, at jody@jewishnola.com or at 504-780-5688 - or scroll down to learn more about the program, its benefits and resources to help you call New Orleans home.

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Upcoming Events

Area Jewish Agencies

From the JCC to counseling options, here are some quick links to Jewish community agencies.

Newcomer Synagogue Series Saints Party with Shir Chadash

On August 12 Newcomers got together with members of Shir Chadash at the Avenue Pub on St. Charles to celebrate the kick-off to the Saints' pre-season.  See some pictures below, and check out more pictures here!

About the Newcomers Incentive Program

 

The Newcomers Incentive Program has been formally extended until December 31, 2010.

The Newcomers Incentive Program is designed to reach out to Jews outside of the Greater New Orleans area to encourage them to make New Orleans their home. 

The Jewish community of Greater New Orleans dates back more than 250 years, and continues to thrive to this day, with Jews of all denominations collaborating closely to ensure a vibrant and engaged future.  Recently branded by The Jewish Week as the “new mecca of tikkun olam [repairing the world],” the Greater New Orleans Jewish community offers both a rich history and a fresh and youthful approach to  communal life—from the Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division to Moishe House, Young Jews of the Crescent City and AVODAH. Our mid-sized community offers all of the benefits of a large city with the hospitality of a small town—with kosher dining options, two Jewish day schools, two Jewish Community Centers and nine synagogues to explore.

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Benefits of the Program

The program is designed to help newcomers through the transition period and make them feel at home in New Orleans. The program offers social networking and financial assistance, including:

  • Complimentary one-year silver membership
    provided by the Jewish Community Center
  • Complimentary one-year membership provided by an area synagogue of your choice
  • Complimentary one-year membership provided by
    the National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah
  • Free start-up JDate membership
  • Scholarships available for children for the Isidore Newman School
  • Social networking events to introduce newcomers to representatives from area agencies and synagogues
  • Housing or business loans
  • Moving grants
  • Rental grants

Begin the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah in September) with new changes to the Newcomer's Program! For more details and information, contact Jody.  See some details on the Moving and Rental Grants here:

Disbursement of funds for Moving Grants:

  • Receipts for all expenses are essential.
  • First $500 of incurred expenses is reimbursed at 100%, thereafter expenses are reimbursable at a rate of 75% with a total maximum payment of $1800 per family.

Available rental grants:

  • Up to $1000 provided for applicant’s 1st year in New Orleans depending on one month’s rent according to updated lease.
  • Up to $1000 provided at the beginning of applicant’s 2nd year in New Orleans subject to proof of membership at a synagogue/temple in the Greater New Orleans area and depending on one month’s rent according to updated lease.
  • Up to $500 provided at the beginning of applicant’s 3rd year in New Orleans subject to proof of membership at a synagogue/temple in the Greater New Orleans area and depending on one month’s rent according to updated lease.

Please note that there is no automatic entitlement to these benefits. Compensation is dependent upon our availability of funds and applicant's eligibility, to be decided on a case by case basis by a committee under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.