Federation to sponsor entire NOLA community event on Oct. 6 at JPAC
Marking one year since the Hamas terror attack on Israeli citizens prompted a Mid-East crisis, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, in partnership with over 20 local Jewish organizations, will host “Commemorating October 7th: An Evening of Remembrance, Resilience and Hope.”
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive. (JPA)
The public event on October 6 will be held at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and the formal program is slated to begin at 6 p.m. To order free tickets, click here.
Featured speakers are set to include Yoni Diller, an Israeli survivor of the Nova Music Festival terror attack, and a representative of the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States. Also expected to appear is Dr. Barry Schneider, a past national commander of the Jewish War Veterans.
“This event is for the entire community – not just those who are Jewish,” said Robert French, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. The commemoration will be a time of public remembrance meant to bring all people together while reaffirming the local community’s commitment to both the Jewish and Israeli people.
October 7 is the one year anniversary of the Gregorian calendar date that corresponds to last year’s celebration of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. That was the day when 1,185 Israelis were murdered and 251 hostages were dragged by terrorists into Gaza, away from their homes and their families.
Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans CEO Robert French. (Photo by Dean M. Shapiro)
“Since Oct. 7, 2023, the worldwide Jewish community has been confronted by extreme threats to their safety – both physical and psychological – calling into question its sense of place in this world,” said Aaron Bloch, director of Federation’s Jewish Multicultural and Governmental Affairs.
The Anti-Defamation League has reported a 360 percent increase in antisemitic hate crimes in the United States against Jews since last year.
“It is inconceivable to American Jews that so many hostages remain in Hamas’ hands, the cease-fire negotiations have failed, and the security of Israel remains so volatile,” said French. “Even in the New Orleans area, we have watched in horror as our city has been marked by hateful antisemitic symbols, unrest on university campuses, and threats to the physical safety for Jewish students and residents. We see New Orleans’ peaceful commemoration of the October 7 attack as a moment of remembrance, reflection and resilience.”
The event at JPAC is a commemoration event with musical accompaniments by Jewish students and local talent as multicultural allies, elected officials, and interfaith and community leaders join attendees in reflections on resilience and hope. The event also features two moving exhibits, one by local artist Billie Little and “Humans of October 7th” by Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz. The images pay tribute to the unexpected heroes of October 7 and tell the story of the Jewish people overcoming adversity, fighting back against impossible odds, and emerging stronger on the other side.
In response to the attack, the New Orleans Jewish community took immediate action, contributing over $2.4 million to a national campaign that has so far raised over $850 million, according to Bloch. These funds have helped to stock medical supplies to first responders, provided food and shelter to the tens of thousands of displaced Israelis who have not been able to return home amid the war, and aided the slow process of rebuilding what was lost, he said.
“We will continue to reflect on the incredible solidarity and support from our local community and use this as fuel to move forward with continued resolve and unity,” Bloch said.
