Federation begins second century

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans threw itself a 100th birthday party Tuesday night and guests of honor included New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, noted author and speaker Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and most all of the living men and women who have led Federation through the past several decades.

Centennial celebration figures from left are Bill Hess, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Centennial chair Julie Wise Oreck and Richard Stone. (Photo by Alan Smason)

The highlight of the night was when native son and chairman of the Conference of Major American Jewish Organizations Richard Berenson Stone and Telushkin engaged in an on-stage conversation about influences in Stone’s life.

Beginning with a wine and cheese reception at 6:15, the event started quietly at the Henson Auditorium of Isidore Newman School. Soon, however, Federation president-designate Morton Katz introduced the Panorama Jazz Band, who led a “second line” into the auditorium featuring the present and former Federation presidents sporting umbrellas and dancing rhythmically to the band.

Landrieu spoke for just a few minutes, but it was a significant speech that spoke glowingly of the import of the Jewish community to the city at large.

Tulane University professor Brenda Brasher next presented a short slide presentation on the Federation’s first 100 years titled “The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans: A century of Action, Imagination and Resolve.”

Bill Hess, wearing a top hat, portrayed his great-grandfather Julius Rosenwald. It was Rosenwald who spoke to one of the first meetings of the group that organized itself into what became the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans one hundred years ago.

Centennial chair Julie Wise Oreck and Centennial Endowment Campaign chair Dr. Michael Wasserman revealed the start of a separate campaign to raise money to add a legacy for the Federation in future years. Every family member over 35 is encouraged to donate $100 per person in the family as a gift to this campaign, which is over and above the regular 2013 Annual Campaign. Nearly $25,000 has already been raised thus far, according to Wasserman. Members under 35 years of age are encouraged to give at least $18 (chai) to this campaign.

Following Telushkin and Stone’s talk, everyone was invited to enjoy kosher sparkling wine and cake made especially for the celebration.