Federation’s Soiree its biggest event to date
By ALAN SMASON, Special to the CCJN
Outlining his vision for a newly energized and committed Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, CEO Arnie Fielkow ascended to the podium for the first time at an annual meeting held Tuesday, September 12, at the Audubon Tea Room.
Federation CEO Arnie Fielkow addressed a packed crowd at the Starry Soiree annual meeting and campaign celebration on Sept. 12. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Speaking to a sold-out room and before a crowd of 335 attending what was billed as the “Starry Soiree,” the former New Orleans Saints executive vice president and New Orleans City Councilman recalled a time when he was about to travel with his family to Chicago and become the CEO of the National Basketball Association Retired Players Association. “Almost six years ago to this night I stood before you at the Federation’s Annual Event at the JCC and said I hoped that our family would one day return to New Orleans,” Fielkow began. “Well these three words never sounded so good: We are home!” he beamed to enthusiastic applause. “We are home!'”
Fielkow spoke glowingly of his family’s attachment to New Orleans, a city he, his physician wife Susan and their children called home for 12 years. “New Orleans is a truly special place comprised of the warmest, most genuine people I have ever encountered,” he continued.
“I am honored to stand before you tonight as Federation CEO just before the start of the Jewish High Holidays to share my vision of our organization,” Fielkow beamed. “It seems so timely because, as we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is a time to reflect on what has transpired in the past while at the same time looking forward to what we hope the New Year will bring.”
Arnie Fielkow, second from right, with wife Susan to his left and his family members. (Photo by Alans Smason)
He also spoke to the resilience of the New Orleans community-at-large, especially after enduring the tragedy of the flooding following Hurricane Katrina and what he called “the largest man-made disaster in our country’s history.”
The Federation CEO noted the important function the Federation had in helping to draw newcomers to the city following Katrina and to help longtime residents return through its various programs. He pointed with pride to the population estimates that now show a larger Jewish population than existed prior to the storm’s landfall and catastrophic levee breaches and floods.
“If Katrina taught us anything, it was to take nothing for granted, to count our blessings for what God has given us, to live each and every day to its fullest, and to treasure those special people around us,” he said.
Fielkow expressed empathy with the communities who are now facing similar challenges from dealing with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. “Tonight, our hearts go out to our Texas, West Louisiana, and Florida neighbors, who are regrettably experiencing what is all too familiar to us,” he considered. “Please know that the Greater New Orleans Jewish community and Federation stand with you and are prepared to help in every way possible.”
Arnie Fielkow addresses the Starry Soiree, the first sell-out event for the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, (Photo by Alan Smason)
To that end Fielkow acknowledged that $70,000 had been raised already for hurricane relief efforts initially in the Houston and East Texas area and, now, also being targeted for communities in Florida hit by the latest storm. “Candidly, given the help we received after Katrina,” Fiekow reminded the crowd “it is our ethical obligation to do everything we can to help!”
Fielkow expressed optimism and hope for the future of the New Orleans Jewish community. He outlined three key points to his administration.
First, he underscored the importance the Jewish community played in helping the at-large community recover from Hurricane Katrina and, given its diversity, Fieklow stated that it is essential to the future of Federation to re-define who and what comprises the Jewish community. “It’s corny, but we clearly cannot be our ‘zeyde’s Federation’ anymore,” he quipped. “Put another way, I hope we can elevate and enhance our Federation ‘brand’ both within and outside our Jewish community.”
He also noted the Jewish community’s connection to the core Jewish principle of tikun olam (“repairing the world”) and the effect members of the Jewish community have had on government and private work during the recovery efforts.
Outgoing Federation president Dr. Edward Soll accepts a tzedakah box from new president Henry Miller. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The Federation CEO also suggested that the Jewish community must be ready to step up its commitment to the annual campaign and suggested that new revenue streams through sponsorships and grants should be considered in the coming years. “Why is this important?” he asked. “Because the dollars we raise are not about putting money into Federation coffers, but rather directly helping and impacting people’s lives!”
Third, Fielkow, pointed again to the diversity of the New Orleans Jewish community as being one of its strengths. He suggested this will enable its many members to come together on a host of different topics. “Our Federation mission is to retain our core values, but at the same time create quality initiatives so that every member of our community – irrespective of age, synagogue affiliation, gender or political belief – feels that Federation offers at least something which is personally appealing and beneficial.”
Incoming board president Henry Miller accepted his position and spoke briefly following remarks and thanks from Dr. Edward Soll to Kathy Shepard and Maury Herman, the chairs for the past annual campaign. Both Shepard and Herman received special commemorative streetcar tzedakah boxes as a token of Federation’s esteem.
He presented outgoing Federation board president Soll with yet another tzedakah box to the amusement of the crowd.
He also introduced the 2017-19 members of the Katz-Phillips Leadership Development Class and their advisors and professional liaison, chief operating officer (COO) Sherri Tarr. Miller stated he looked forward to working with these future Federation leaders.
“Federation and our Jewish community must always be viewed as an inclusive organization, a community that’s welcome and friendly,” he also stated. “A pillar of ethos of our Jewish community for generations has been supporting equal rights for all people,” Miller continued. To that end, he announced the establishment of Federation’s LGBT Division to be headed up by Dr. Marc Behar. “Marc, thank you for accepting this important mission and I look forward to working with you to build and develop this division,” he acknowledged.
Miller also announced a mentoring program in which businessmen and other experienced members of the community can be paired with up-and-coming business interests. “By sharing with new entrepreneurs and professionals in an ongoing basis, our mentors’ many years of business and professional experience and contacts here in New Orleans, we can help both New Orleans and our Jewish community prosper,” he noted.
Earlier in the evening Soll spoke to the crowd and thanked them for the support he had received over the course of his past two-year term. He called upon previous board president Morton Katz to present the nominating slate of officers for the ensuing year, which was accepted by the membership.
Andrea Lestelle presented a nominating slate for the Jewish Endowment Foundation for the ensuing year. A motion to accept the slate was made and seconded and a vote by the membership accepted the slate.
Prior to the dinner awards were presented to community volunteers. Lisa Heller and John Haspel received the Anne Goldsmith Hanaw and J. Jerome Hanaw Tikkun Olam Award. Ashley Merlin Gold was presented the Herbert J. and Margot Garon young Leadership Award. The Roger Bissinger Memorial Award was presented to Joan Berenson, while the Cohen-Jacobs Emerging Leader Award was presented to Nicole Harvey.
