Federation-JEF begin centennial year; Sen. Landrieu seen via telelink
The joint meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Jewish Endowment Foundation (JEF) of Louisiana signaled the start of the recognition of a century of progress in Jewish New Orleans.
Jewish Federation president Alan Franco with outgoing Jewish Endowment Foundation president Charles “Rusty” Levy at joint meeting. (Photo Alan Smason)
Aside from the several meaningful presentations to outstanding leaders and reports to the community, it was also noted for several humorous technical miscues that took the edge off what might have been a stuffy and predictable affair for community members in attendance at the Uptown JCC Thursday night. The first occurred when a scheduled teleconference with United States Senator Mary Landrieu went off on time, but because the senator was delayed, the image of a burly, moustached technician filled up the giant screen creating peals of laughter in the audience. The program commenced with other presentations and, after a hail of frantic phone calls back and forth, the senator did arrive at the studio, albeit about 10 minutes later than anticipated. Following an introduction by longtime supporter William Goldring, Landrieu addressed the crowd directly.
Apologizing for not being able to be at the event in person due to late voting on a bill that will finance the government for the ensuing six months, Landrieu first spoke about the recent slow passage of Hurricane Issac, “a storm that came and stayed.” She gave credit to the massive federal investment made since Hurricane Katrina that enhanced and buttressed the levee system during the recent storm, that protected the city. She noted that the Broadmoor area from which she hailed had no recordable flooding during the passage of the recent slow-moving storm. That, she said, is the first time since the infamous May 3, 1978 deluge.
The senator spoke on Israel and the need to continue support for the U.S.’s strongest ally and only democracy in the Middle East. She stated that she had voted for continuation of $7.4 billion in foreign aid to Israel. “That investment is not only an investment in Israel, it is an investment in America,” she proclaimed. ” Landrieu also announced another $9 billion in loan guarantees to Israel that just passed Congress.
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. (Photo courtesy Mary Landrieu)
Landrieu briefly commented on the recent unrest in the Middle East and the troubling attack on the consulate in Bengazi, Libya that took the lives of four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Protestors have claimed they reacted against a trailer for a U.S.-made film titled “Innocence of Muslims” that was disrespectful to their beliefs and in particular against Mahommud. She said that it was possible the protesters had reacted to the film, but that had not been determined.
Despite the unrest and turbulence in the area, Landrieu said the biggest danger to Israel comes from Iran. “The grave threat is that of an unpredictable and nuclear-armed Iran,” she continued. “Allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons is not an option. I’ve been a stong supporter of all the sanction bills against Iran. We must convince the Iranian government to drop their plans for nuclear armament.”
Landrieu added “and if that doesn’t work, there are other options and we shouldn’t take anything off the table.”
Landrieu also spoke on the progress made in reaching out to Israel from the Louisiana oil and gas business interests. She said she has been on three trips to Israel and will be on her fourth next month sponsored by the Department of Commerce. This trip will be part of an effort to bring players together in Israel including the president and prime minister along with Louisiana oil and gas leaders, Landrieu noted. According to Landrieu, Israel’s discovery of the Leviathan field off their coast could potentially make that nation energy self-sufficient in the future. “This is a game changer for Israel,” she said.
Before taking two questions from the crowd, Landrieu stated “You can count on my continued support for Israel and the growth of democracy around the world.”
The first question addressed the question of the federal deficit. Because of the uncertainty of the outcome of the presidential election, Landrieu said Congress is in a holding pattern looking for signals from the electorate on which way to vote on the matter. She promised that a number of bipartisan blue ribbon panels are ready to come up with ideas on how to reduce the deficit. But, she said, the major legislation that will trigger a “stronger” response to overspending should be the spending cap passed by Congress last year.
Federation president Alan Franco took the privilege of asking Landrieu the final question from the floor about the dangers facing Israel from a potentially nuclear-armed Iran. “There’s great sympathy for Israel to take whatever action they need to do in order to protect their future,” she responded. But until the election process is over, she continued, the whole focus is off. She promised that when the election is finished ” a lot of things will crystalize and clarify.”
Federation president Alan Franco with campaign co-chair Lou Good. (Photo Alan Smason)
Franco’s report to the audience was one that focused on restoration and renewal. He claimed excitement when the Federation announced recently that, according to its own estimates, the number of Jewish residents of Greater New Orleans had exceeded pre-Katrina numbers. Franco said he wanted to concentrate on being more creative in his fundraising efforts and those financial planning instruments which would leave a legacy for both Federation and the JEF.
Among the highlights of his past first year as Federation president, Franco pointed out the great strides in attracting newcomers through Federation programs as well as retaining recent graduates through the J-Grad program. Franco also noted a strengthening of the partnership with Israeli sister city Rosh Ha’yim. He announced the first-ever New Orleans Jazz Festival to be held there with a major as-yet-unnamed New Orleans jazz artist in May of 2013. “It’s been an exciting year and I want to say thank you. Thank you for giving and thank you for caring,” Franco concluded.
This being an interim year, several officers will continue in their present positions with Franco. They are vice-presidents Joshua Force and Dana Shepard, secretary Stephen Timm and treasurer Henry Miller.
Board members elected to various two-year terms were Jonathan Kaplan, Alvin Samuel, Ellen Balkin, Alice Gitter, Jeffrey Goldring, Lisa Heller, Joyce Pulitzter, Alan Kansas and Hope Meyer.
Outgoing JEF president Charles “Rusty” Levy announced the slate of incoming officers for the following year will be approved at the October board meeting. Carol Wise will serve as incoming president along with vice-presidents Richard Cahn, Morton Katz and Edward Soll; treasurer Andrea Lestelle; assistant treasurer John Haspel and secretary Mimi Schlesinger.
He announced that in 2011 JEF gave over $55,000 to the community and that so far in 2012 the amount given to the Jewish community had already gone over the $88,000 mark. According to figures given by Levy, the JEF is administering over 450 funds for individuals and community organizations in the amount of over $40 million. Levy encouraged others to consider setting up similar accounts. “By creating your Jewish legacy,” Levy stated,” you are part of an unbroken chain of benefactors securing the community for generations to come.”
Like Franco, Federation executive director Michael Weil claimed that the New Orleans community population is today larger than the number which existed prior to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. “Five years has (sic) past,” Weil said. “That plan has been successfully implemented by you, by our agencies, by our Federation and I think that’s a wonderful achievement.”
As to the future, Weil said he looks forward to plans for the centennial celebration of 2013. He specifically thanked the Goldring and Woldenberg families for their extra contributions to the annual campaign. He emphasized that this year’s annual campaign co-chaired by Karen Sher and Louis K. Good III had raised the most money since the 2008 campaign.
Sher and Good were presented with special tzedakah replicas of streetcars commissioned by Federation and rendered by artist Gary Rosenthal for their efforts. In turn, Sher and Good presented Sarah Pasternack and Miller with the 2012 Anne Goldsmith Hanaw and J. Jerome Hanaw Tikkun Olam Award for Campaign Excellence.
Karen Sher, left, acknowledges the work of Sarah Pasternack and Henry Miller, far right. Campaign co-chair Lou Good is at center. (Photo Alan Smason)
Weil also added that he would increase leadership opportunities, especially among the younger community members through a revamped Lemann-Stern program. He added that he would continue to market the connection to Israel through Federation and to deepen the relationship with sister city Rosh Ha’Ayim. On a fourth front Weil said he would continue to strengthen relations with other partners and other constituent agencies including Tulane Hillel, Jewish Family Service, the JCC and the New Orleans Day School, which he termed “of paramount importance.”
The second humorous technical miscue occurred when Margot Garon, a recent recipient of a Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the recent International Lions of Judah International Conference, presented the Herbert J. and Margot Garon Young Leadership Award to Robert Brickman. A video showing highlights from the last year inadvertently interrupted Garon’s remarks about Brickman with a hip hop anthem that startled her and made her burst out in laughter to the delight of the crowd.
Margot Garon, left, congratulates Robert Brickman on his award. (Photo Alan Smason)
Following the gaffe, Garon continued, crediting Brickman, a fifth generation New Orleanian, with being among the best and brightest of the young professionals who now call New Orleans home. He was selected for the annual award from a list of nominees voted on by a special Federation executive committee.
The meeting opened with a performance of two songs Mi Chamocha and Oseh Shalom by students from the New Orleans Jewish Day School. They then sang Hatikvah and the Star Spangled Banner before exiting.
New Orleans Jewish Day School singers perform. (Photo Alan Smason)
Temple Sinai Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn was called upon to deliver a drosh (commentary) to inspire attendees at the beginning of the meeting. The evening concluded with the video presentation prepared by Federation marketing director Caitrin Muldoon Gladow, which documented highlights of the past year through pictures and with special music.
