Friday, September 5, 2008

Dear friends,

Bruchim habaim and welcome home.

This week’s Torah portion Shoftim (Judges) talks about the need for government, authority, administration, judges and policeman and shows how advanced the Children of Israel were in organizing community. The Torah also discusses the Cities of Refuge. These concepts are so very apt this week.

Most of us felt very welcome in the places we evacuated to and were impressed by the hospitality of friends, relatives and community. Now we are all glad to be home and safe and (hopefully) with power and cool air from air conditioning.

With the grace of God, our homes and our institutions had only minor damage. Here at the Metairie Campus we are grateful to our amazing maintenance crew who efficiently closed down the facility last Friday and had us up and running early Wednesday morning.

As soon as possible we will all be back on track, continuing on the positive road of building community. Both Jewish Community Centers will re-open on Sunday, September 7 at 8:00 a.m., while classes will resume at the New Orleans Jewish Day School on Monday, September 8.

Should you require any special assistance post-Gustav, please contact Jewish Family Service at 504-831-8475.

Please join us for our 95^th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus, where we will celebrate under the banner, “What a Great Place to Come Home to.” Fred Zimmerman, Chair of United Jewish Communities’ Emergency Committee, will be flying in to express solidarity with our community.

Have a wonderful Shabbat,

Michael Weil

Executive Director