Silvermans receive honor at AVODAH Jazz Brunch

By ALAN SMASON

AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps honored its very first partners at the third annual Partners in Justice brunch. This year’s honor went to Dan and Jackie Silverman, the two individuals who, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, set up the New Orleans Women’s’Shelter to house, feed and promote the welfare of homeless and abused women across the city.

Leslie Jacobs presents the Avodah Partners in Justice Award to Jackie and Dan Silverman. (Photo by Alan Smason)

When AVODAH first arrived in New Orleans in 2008 under initial director Joshua Lichtman, he selected the New Orleans Women’s Shelter as the recipient for the first of its corps members. “What began as a post-Katrina activity, quickly became a passion for them,” said Rabbi Robert Loewy  at the Gates of Prayer social hall on the anniversary weekend of his 30th year as rabbi.

“Helping homeless women evolved into a sophisticated non-profit homeless shelter that brought stability to Central City and to as many as 40 residents at a time,” Loewy beamed.

“Today is a celebration recognizing the great work of AVODAH and all those who are part of the organization past, present and future, along with Jackie and Dan, who serve as role models,” he concluded.

AVODAH executive director Dani Levine followed Loewy’s remarks with specific insight into the work of the volunteer organization and its focus on the effects of poverty and righting social injustice.”

Avodah presentation. (Photo by Alan Smason)

We’ve been successfully engaging young men and women for the past eight years,” she started. Levine said that nationwide the organization also located in New York, Washington and Chicago, has 700 alumni over the course of the past 16 years. Seventy percent continue to work in the non-profit sector after they leave AVODAH, she stated. “Three out of four go on to dedicate their careers in the pursuit of justice,” Levine pointed out.

Jessica Greenberg, a present AVODAH corps member with roots to New Orleans talked about her grandfather, Harry Nowalsky of blessed memory. She talked about her inspiration to work towards social justice after reading  the hundreds of letters and photos he sent back and memorabilia he retrieved following World War II from occupied Berlin.

Greenberg, who works at the Ruth Fertel Cancer Center at Tulane University, expressed her gratitude for AVODAH allowing her to reconnect with her ancestors’ home town and to be engaged to help others under the umbrella of its program.

“AVODAH has given me the tools to make my own personal connection to Judaism,” Greenberg said. “Today I am honored to be a part of AVODAH.”

Rabbi Robert Loewy looks on as his congregation members, Jackie and Dan Silverman, are honored on the weekend of his 30th anniversary as Gates of Prayer’s rabbi. (Photo by Alan Smason)

Aliza Baron, a former AVODAH corps member, recalled her placement at the New Orleans Womens’ Shelter during the first year of operations. She spoke of her initial commitment to help New Orleans recover after the storm as a volunteer and how her mother plotted to get her involved with AVODAH by contacting Lichtman so he would talk to her about the program. She referred to the Silvermans as her second mother and father.

A note of sadness was reached when Baron talked about the Silvermans’ son Jonathan, who died last October after a long illness.

Longtime friend and educator Leslie Jacobs also spoke. “What really distinguishes Jackie and Dan is what they have done for the most vulnerable residents of our city,” she said. “Each of us reacted differently. The plight of homeless women and their children became their calling.”

Jacobs pointed out that they had no previous experience setting up such a shelter and had to learn how to run a successful shelter from scratch. “They became experts as new challenges would come their way,  they would figure out how to overcome them,” Jacobs continued.

In accepting the presentation, a specially drawn painting representing the first New Orleans Women’s Shelter that has since been replaced by a new structure in Central City.

“We feel just so pleased this morning,” Dan Silverman said. “First for this lovely recognition from Avodah and, second, that so many of many of our friends and colleagues are here.”

Jackie Silverman echoed similar statements about AVODAH, comparing the growth of the organization to that of a cactus she had nourished for many years. “Avodah is teaching so much to us all if we would just stop and listen,” she said. “Dan and I stopped and listend to the needs of homeless women.”

The event featured a jazz combo playing earlier in the day. Catering for the brunch was by Andy Adelman.

Event photos are here:

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