April 16, 2019
By ALAN SMASON
Manny Greenberg was a Passover cheater
And it pained him to know it was true
‘Cause when Manny went searching for chometz
He left in his icebox a brew.
Now to hear it from Manny, he would tell you
It was just that he wanted that beer
To...
December 05, 2018
By ALAN SMASON, Editor
The 2018 Jewish Media Summit in Israel, like its two previous iterations in 2014 and 2016, has now been relegated to history. While there were many similarities to the two previous summits, this year’s conference put on jointly by the Government Press Office and the Diaspora and Foreign Ministries reached out to a new group of Jewish journalists, bloggers and social media influencers rather than the...
July 23, 2018
The Crescent City Jewish News drew a rare honor Saturday night when it was selected as the first place recipient of the Breaking News category, defeating WWL-TV. Surprised CCJN editor Alan Smason accepted the award on behalf of the website, which publishes the Best of the Crescent City Jewish News Yearbook and SOURCE guide annually.
Smason was cited as the author of the story “New Orleans Community Mobilizes for Houston...
February 16, 2018
The Crescent City Jewish News and its strategic partner Bayou Buzz, a website dealing with local and national politics, is holding a joint Facebook Live/Twitter chat on Thursday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m. with Arnie Fielkow, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans.
BayouBuzz, run by attorney Stephen Sabludowsky, has been holding a number of live chats with new hardware and software that allows for a number of video guests to...
August 30, 2015
By ALAN SMASON, Exclusive to the CCJN
While Hurricane Katrina was an absolute nightmare for most New Orleanians, it was my own harrowing and real-life version of a Dickensian tale played out in two cities. It was the best of times in Cleveland, and the worst of times in New Orleans.
Unlike the vast majority, I hadn’t evacuated or had time to prepare my home and hearth for the onslaught...
July 18, 2015
The Press Club of New Orleans honored the Crescent City Jewish News for the second year in a row with a first place award for journalistic excellence. CCJN editor Alan Smason won the first place award in the category of Entertainment Writing for his piece on performer and composer Valerie Sassyfras titled “Valerie Sassyfras: A Musical Phoenix Emerges.” That August 2014 article was published in SOURCE 5775. The Press Club...
July 20, 2014
The Crescent City Jewish News was singled out by the Press Club of New Orleans for a first place prize in Writing and InfoGraphics at the 56th Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards at Harrah’s Casino on Saturday night, July 19.
Both CCJN editor Alan Smason and Xavier University archivist Irwin Lachoff, who contributed to the lengthy article and timeline, were on hand to accept the award at the opulent dinner...
June 03, 2014
In the tradition of the theatrical adage that the show must go on, CCJN editor Alan Smason stepped in at the last minute to assist Gary Rucker, artistic director of the Kenner Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, at yesterday’s Morris Bart, Sr. Memorial Lecture, June 2.
Rucker and his partner Kelly Fouchi were both expected at yesterday’s gathering at the Uptown JCC at 11:30 p.m. When they were not...
October 21, 2013
The final presentation of the continuing “Keeping Kosher” education series between Reform Congregation Gates of Prayer and Orthodox Congregation Beth Israel – “Kosher Web” – will take place this Wednesday night, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 West Esplanade Avenue in Metairie.
“Kosher Web” and will focus on the Internet and the many opportunities and challenges in getting information from the various websites.
Speakers will...
May 06, 2013
“SHAVUOT SUNDAE“
There once was a bully Named Gustave McSwat, Who terrorized his neighborhood With a swipe of his bat.
He hated to study, He hated his school. He’d sit and watch TV And think he was cool.
One day he caught sight Of some neighborhood boys Who were walking to synagogue Making some noise.
“I’ll make them think twice...