Giants announce their departures

In recent weeks word has come down of the departure of two of the Jewish community’s great leaders. Deena Gerber, who has been the executive director of Jewish Family Service and its attendant organizations like Teen Life Counts, has indicated she is stepping down and Cathy Glaser, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, is also leaving.

To say that both of these remarkable women will be missed is an understatement. Both of them have contributed mightily to the improvement of the Greater New Orleans Jewish community is a variety of ways. Gerber’s organization has made the transition for hundreds of depressed and anxious residents following the trepadacious days after Hurricane Katrina. Glaser’s outreach within the Jewish community and to the outside community has strengthened our resolve to fight hate and intolerance.

We wish both of these leading ladies the best as they will soon embark on new and different journeys. We trust the selections commitees will keep the sterling qualities both of these leaders possessed in mind when picking their replacments.