New Orleans Jewish community celebrates subdued Yom Ha’Atzmaut at JCC

By ALAN SMASON, Exclusive to the CCJN

The New Orleans Jewish community expressed solidarity with the nation of Israel with two special evenng events this week, a showing of the film “October 8th” on Tuesday and a subdued Yom Ha’Atzmaut musical celebration at the Uptown Jewish Community Center on Wednesday.

Jewish community members watch “October 8th” at the AMC Elmwood Theater on Tuesday, April 29. (Photo by Charissa Brim)

Yom Ha’Atzmaut is the annual date that corresponds to the Hebrew date which is recognized as Israel Independence Day. It is celebrated on 6 Iyar (unless that date on the Hebrew calendar coincides with Shabbat). Yom Hazikaron, similarly commemorated on 5 Iyar, is the Israel Memorial Day in which more than 30,000 individuals who died in fighting since 1948 and were victims of terrorism are also honored.

Prior to the film, a Yom Hazikaron service honoring the Israeli dead was coordinated by the New Orleans Jewish Clergy Committee led by Temple Sinai Senior Rabbi Daniel Sherman. Temple Sinai Cantor Rebecca Garfein and Gates of Prayer cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence also participated.

The film “October 8th,” which was released globally in March was promoted by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and sponsored by a cross-section of religious institutions. The documentary shows the troubling connection between extreme left liberal groups – many of whom are Jewish – and Arab strategists that was manifested in a coordinated campaign following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

It was those groups who helped carry out many of the campus encampments and massive protests in the spring of 2024, the film shows.

Singer Eleanor Reissa, left, with Klezmer trumpet player Frank London at Yom Ha’Atzmaut event at the Uptown JCC on Tues., April 29. (Photo by Alan Smason)

Following the screening of the film, Federation CEO Robert French, Anti-Defamation League South Central Region executive director Lindsay Baach-Friedmann and Tulane student Dylan Mann had a discussion and a question and answer period from audience members.

Mann described first-hand the difficulties he has had to undergo as a student, oftentimes frightened at how organized anti-Israel and anti-Zionist forces have whipped up antisemitic rhetoric at Jewish students.

The musical celebration at the JCC Cotlar Auditorium was led by two groups. The first, Threads of Light, is a small local ensemble led by two Israelis from Reshivot who met in New Orleans. Or Tovaly and Orit Tashova, whose first names mean “light” in Hebrew, started the concert at 6:00 p.m. followed by Brooklyn Klezmer stars Frank London and his group with singer Eleanor Reissa.

Dvash Catering provided Israeli food packages in the adjacent board room for a nominal price of $11, which was $10 plus tax.

The JCC offered a white and blue cake that honored Israel’s 77th birthday.

Photos from the Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebraton are here: