Beth Israel turns 120 with grand gala
By ALAN SMASON, Special to the CCJN
Congregation Beth Israel was bursting at the seams on Sunday, December 8, when more than 160 people came to honor the 120 years that the Modern Orthodox synagogue has been in the New Orleans area.
Nonagenarian Joseph Blotner, the oldest president of Congregation Beth Israel, stands behind balloons that signify the 120th anniversary of the shul.
Congregation members and invited guests gathered in the synagogue’s sanctuary and social hall that had been fully opened up to hear speakers congratulate the synagogue on its significant anniversary.
“One hundred and twenty years is the ideal lifespan of a human being,” said Beth Israel Rabbi Phil Kaplan in his opening address to the gala attendees. “It’s our aspiration for ourselves and our blessing for our fellow, but for our beloved shul, 120 is and should be just the beginning. Beth Israel has survived a lot to make it this far: this community had weathered storms both literal and metaphoric.”
Alluding to its survival post Hurricane Katrina, the rabbi pointed out that the congregation had sustained itself through good times and tough times, always with the dedication of its members through many generations and oftentimes with the “chesed” (kindness) of outsiders.
“Our shul’s story has become an emblem of Jewish resilience, of the incredible fortitude and devotion of the New Orleans Jewish community,” he added.
Having just returned from a solidarity mission to Israel, counsel general Livia Link-Raviv, representing the Consulate of Israel to the Southwestern United States, gave her own remarks to the crowd. “(A) 120( -year) anniversary is really a remarkable thing in our tradition we wish upon other people,” she said.
“I know that this congregation has an incredible connection to the State of Israel. We don’t take it for granted,” she continued.
Beth Israel has traditionally set records in its purchases of Israel bonds for many decades.
Jewish Federation CEO Robert French, left, Livia Link-Rajiv, Israel Consul General to the Southwest United States, center, and Beth Israel president Bradley Bain. (Photo by Alan Smason)
“Such a Zionistic community and congregation are something very special. The last 14 months have been maybe the hardest in the history of Israel, but I always say we are not alone,” the counsel asserted.
“The American Jewry, this community and actually each and every one of you is crucial to Israel’s resilience. Please know that. Please remember that,” she concluded. “I always say it is a package deal: there is no Israel without the Diaspora and there is no Diaspora without Israel.”
Representing the State of Israel Bonds, Bradley Young presented Rabbi Kaplan with the Shimon Peres Leadership Award in recognition of the congregation’s commitment and “extraordinary support.”
Former Beth Israel president Hal Ungar presented a special engraved brick to Lisa Romano, representing the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust that provides funding for the Oscar J. Tolmas Rabbinic Chair at the congregation. The brick will be added to the patio near their sukkah.
Isaac Herzog, the Israel president, congratulates Congregation Beth Israel on its 120th anniversary. (Video screenshot)
Laura Ungar, Hal’s wife, the present executive vice president of the congregation, presented another engraved brick to Kenneth Perret, a representative of the Cantor Schramm Fund that sponsors musical and cantorial events throughout the year.
Starting with nonagenarian Joseph Blotner, the final portion of the evening consisted of past presidents of Congregation Beth Israel, making toasts to its future.
Another president, Israeli President Issac Herzog – himself the son of an Israeli president –sent his greetings from Jerusalem to the attendees via a special video tape requested from Beth Israel executive committee and board member Ariel Lanis.
The Russell Ramirez Sextet jazz band played music in the lobby throughout the evening and the kosher meal was catered by Orit Naghi and the Mardi Gras Zone Supermarket.
Photos from the event are here:
