{"id":19261,"date":"2014-10-28T16:43:19","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T22:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=19261"},"modified":"2014-10-28T16:43:19","modified_gmt":"2014-10-28T22:43:19","slug":"jef-honors-solls-katz-lestelle-wainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/jef-honors-solls-katz-lestelle-wainer\/","title":{"rendered":"JEF honors Solls, Katz, Lestelle &#038; Wainer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By ALAN SMASON<\/p>\n<p>Despite the failure of a speaker to deliver the keynote address, the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana (JEF) kept the conversation local and on point with its 2014 Annual Event on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Hilton Hotel Riverside, moving ahead with recognition for one very involved married couple, two professionals and a prominent community leader.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19262\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a title=\"JEF 2014  Tzedekah Award\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19262\" class=\"wp-image-19262 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Solls_presentation\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19262\" class=\"wp-image-19262 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Solls_presentation\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Solls_presentation-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-19262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maury Herman presents the JEF&#8217;s 2014 Tzedekah Award to cousins Dr. Edward and Karen Soll as JEF president Richard Cahn, right, looks on. (Photo by Alan Smason)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aaron David Miller, a vice president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, had been expected to deliver a timely address on Middle East affairs. Miller&#8217;s talk was expected to deal specifically with the fallout and current situation arising from the summer&#8217;s Israeli military campaign, Operation Protective Edge, and the antipathy existing between Hamas and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>However, Miller&#8217;s early morning flight was one of dozens cancelled as a result of military maneuvers in the Washington, D.C. area that morning. He was unable to find an alternative flight on short notice and was not able to make it into New Orleans in time for deliver his talk.<\/p>\n<p>Undeterred, the program began with a welcome address by JEF executive director Saundra Levy that emphasized the Jewish tradition of community involvement and tzedakah (charity). &#8220;May each of us choose a life that matters,&#8221; she said in welcoming the crowd of over 250 gathered there for a kosher-style breakfast that included fresh fruit, rolls, smoked salmon, blintzes, an omelette station and more.<\/p>\n<p>Rabbi Robert Loewy of Congregation Gates of Prayer delivered a dvar Torah on the<em> parsha Lech Lecha<\/em>. Loewy referred to the reading and its opening words delivered from God to Abraham, which translate into &#8220;Go, go for yourself.&#8221; He called it the foundation that was established between God, Abraham and Sarah.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19263\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a title=\"Rabbi Loewy at 2014 JEF Annual Event \" href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19263\" class=\"wp-image-19263 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1792\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19263\" class=\"wp-image-19263 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1792\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1792-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-19263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rabbi Robert Loewy delivering the dvar Torah at the 2014 JEF Annual Event at the Hilton Hotel with JEF president Richard Cahn at right. (Photo by Alan Smason)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;So, too, is the JEF an extension of that foundation,&#8221; the rabbi stated, noting its commitment to the Jewish community as both a safety net during times of crisis and as a visionary organization looking to ensure the future viability of the Greater New Orleans Jewish community.<\/p>\n<p>He noted with pride that the highlight of the day was to be the recognition of two of his congregants, Dr. Eddie and Karen Soll, expressing admiration for their commitment to Torah and their involvement in the Jewish community. \u00a0Using the Solls as an example and referring once again to the parsha, Loewy concluded that, like Abraham and Sarah, everyone should go forth and be a blessing. &#8220;May we do the same,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Acting as emcee, JEF board president Richard Cahn emphasized the ease with which a financial commitment to JEF can be accomplished as part of a financial plan that might be as simple as a 5% tithe of one&#8217;s estate. &#8220;Your plan does not have to be perfect to execute it,&#8221; he stated. &#8220;Just do something.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Levy was asked to come back to the podium to make a special presentation to immediate past president Carol Wise. Wise took the opportunity to thank Levy and the other members of her board. Displaying a photo of her father, she proclaimed how proud she was to carry on in her commitment to the Jewish community he instilled in her.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19264\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a title=\"Lestelle and Wainer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19264\" class=\"wp-image-19264 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1809\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19264\" class=\"wp-image-19264 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1809\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1809-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-19264\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ellie Wainer, left, is given the Helen A. Mervis Jewish Community Professional Award by Andrea &#8220;Andi&#8221; Lestelle. Lestelle was also given the Young Family Award for Professinal Excellence. (Photo by Alan Smason)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Cahn went ahead with the introduction of Andrea &#8220;Andi&#8221; Lestelle, who made the presentation of the Helen A. Mervis Jewish Community Professional Award to Ellie Wainer. Wainer was cited for her work as the coordinator of the Teen Life Counts suicide awareness and education program administered by Jewish Family Service. Wainer has been succeeded in the past year by Talora Gross.<\/p>\n<p>Videos extolling the virtues of Wainer and Lestelle were then shown. Cahn presented Lestelle with the Young Family Award for Professional Excellence.<\/p>\n<p>Following yet another video on his work as a committed and involved community leader, Morton Katz, the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans was invited to accept the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Endowment Achievement Award from Levy.<\/p>\n<p>In the video Katz humorously stated he was spurred to become more involved with the Jewish community when he noted how involved his son Brian had become. He felt he was being outshone by his son, he suggested, and so he became a notable Jewish community volunteer as a result. He wondered aloud just where his son had received such a drive to be so involved.<\/p>\n<p>Katz, who will be finishing up his two-year term as Federation president next year, said it is all a process of giving back. He noted that the incoming president will be Dr. Soll.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19287\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a title=\"Maury Herman and Soll sons\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19287\" class=\"wp-image-19287 size-medium lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1873\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19287\" class=\"wp-image-19287 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1873\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/IMG_1873-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-19287\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cousin Maury Herman, left, leads the three sons of Dr. Edward and Karen Soll &#8211; Shea, Michael and Gregg &#8211; in the priestly blessing. (Photo by Alan Smason)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Giving is part of happiness,&#8221; mused Katz, &#8220;and happiness is up there with good health &#8211; well, maybe not as important as good health &#8211; but it&#8217;s up there with good people and good relatives. We make a life with what we give.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The final video of the day centered on the Solls and their acceptance of the 2014 Tzedakah Award. Attorney and cousin Maury Herman\u00a0was called upon to make the presentation.<\/p>\n<p>Herman called for the Solls&#8217; three sons &#8211; Shea, Michael and Gregg &#8211; to ascend the podium and he lead them in reading aloud the priestly blessing.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Soll took the podium to thank the JEF for their award. &#8220;We should count our blessings,&#8221; he stated. &#8220;This is an especially vibrant and supportive Jewish community.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He advised all attendees to support the JEF by creating a Jewish legacy as well as Federation and its constituent agencies and programs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-medium.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top: 5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"Tumblr\",\"Email\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"medium\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"JEF%20honors%20Solls%2C%20Katz%2C%20Lestelle%20%26%20Wainer\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[6260,6258,6261,6237,8790,6252,8795,6259,8836,8788,4457],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19261"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19288,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19261\/revisions\/19288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}