Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans & ADL South Central Region Statement on the New Zealand Terror Attack

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the ADL South Central Region are horrified by today’s terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a gunman murdered at least 49 people peacefully engaged in prayer at two mosques.

A place of worship should always be a place of peace and welcome. Our hearts are broken for the victims and their loved ones, and we pray for the full recovery of all those injured. We are sickened by this act of wanton bloodshed and grotesque Islamophobia. The effects of intolerant rhetoric are far-reaching, and we urge our community to stand together with us against senseless violence and bigotry.

Arnie Fielkow, CEO of the Jewish Federation, stated: “These hate-motivated murders in Christchurch are truly sickening. As I’ve had to say in the aftermath of other, similar tragedies in recent months – too many times, unfortunately – hate against one is hate against all. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim community in Greater New Orleans, and express our deepest condolences to them and to the community in New Zealand.”

“The safety and sanctity of houses of worship are being violated by hate and violence, whether a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, an AME church in South Carolina, or a synagogue in Pennsylvania,” added Aaron Ahlquist, ADL’s South Central Regional Director. “Their pain, and our pain, is now shared a world away by those impacted by the mosque shootings in Christchurch. Our condemnation comes with a call to action to examine the increasing role that technology and social media are playing in the spread of hate around the world.”

Let us be unified by love and understanding, and not by hatred.

Arnie D. Fielkow | CEO | Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Henry Miller | Board Chair | Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans

Bradley Bain | Chair | Jewish Community Relations Council

Aaron Ahlquist | Regional Director | ADL South Central
 

A Very Super Sunday

Sunday, February 17 was the Jewish Federation's annual Super Sunday phonathon! Each year, dozens of volunteers crowd into the gym at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie to raise the dollars which support our agencies and organizations. 

This year was no exception, with more than 100 volunteers. We are also deeply grateful to our 2019 Super Sunday Co-Chairs - Carrie Pailet Kanter, Nate Kanter, Dana Shepard, Hal Shepard, and Kathy Shepard - for their efforts in making this annual tradition both fun and meaningful.

Super Sunday 2019 raised $149,363 from 276 households. This includes 24 new gifts and 91 increased gifts. Thank you to everyone who volunteered or answered the call!

The 2019 Annual Campaign remains open, and you can still participate. Here are two ways:

1. If you're not ready to make and pay your pledge (your payment isn't due until December 31, 2019), but you want to participate in the 2019 Annual Campaign, simply call Brenda Montamat at 504-780-5605, and she'll record your pledge. Don't forget GiveNOLA Day, on Tuesday, May 7 - if you'd like to pay part or or all of your pledge on that date, let Brenda know, and she will take down your credit card information and process it on that day!

2. If you'd like to make and pay your pledge now, click here. 

Special thanks to our sponsors: 2 Amigos Mexican Buffet, ARC, Bearded Lady Barber Shop, Casablanca, Come Back Inn, Dvash Catering, Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Green to Go, Kosher Cajun, Nacho Mama's, The National World War II Museum, Pizza Delicious, Pokeworks, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Stein's Deli, Taylor-Seidenbach, and Zea.

Thank you, New Orleans

2018 was an exceptional year for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, so the staff got together with one goal in mind: to say thank you to each and every one of you.

The 2018 Campaign flourished in both amount and effect, by raising $100,000 more than it did in 2017! While the impact this money will have on our community is incredible, we want to build on the momentum of last year’s Campaign.  We are asking you to make a commitment to the 2019 Annual Campaign, and to consider increasing the amount that you give. Why should you give and why should you give more?  Last year your gift:

•  Served more than 1,100 meals to seniors at the Jewish Community Center
• Funded resources to add a sixth grade class at the Jewish Community Day School, whose enrollment tripled this past year
• Provided in-home care to 134 disabled and older adults through Jewish Family Service’s Homemaker Program
• Powered Jewish student life on campus through Tulane Hillel, which engages 88% of the Jewish campus population
• Allowed the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to deliver food, medicine and heating supplies to 46,000 Jewish    elderly in the Former Soviet Union
• Brought 29,323 Jews from around the world to Israel by aliyah through the Jewish Agency for Israel

These are just a few examples of how your gift to the Federation’s Campaign has grown community, whether here in greater New Orleans or across the globe. Please join us again as a donor to the Annual Campaign - raising more dollars creates more impact, and we need your help to make this happen.

When you give to the Federation, your gift is matched because of our generous partners, the Goldring Family and Woldenberg Foundations.  The increased portion is matched at 25%, making each dollar more powerful and transformative. Thank you again for your continued support - Happy New Year, New Orleans!