Why New Orleans?
New Orleans is a perfect home for the 2010 GA; below, learn about the city's Jewish history, the partnership between NOLA and the Federations in Katrina recovery, and 10 things to be sure to do while you're in town.
The Partnership Between Jewish Federations and New Orleans
When Hurricane Katrina hit, the Jewish Federation movement sprang into action and raised nearly $30 million for emergency aid, shelter, food and counseling for disaster victims. The Jewish Federations then provided long-term disaster relief solutions. Leading a coalition of Jewish organizations, The Jewish Federations of North America developed a stabilization plan for the communities of Baton Rouge, Biloxi and New Orleans - ensuring the survival of Jewish institutions and creating a lifeline to vitally needed services so people could begin to move forward with their lives.
In March 2009, the Federation's National Young Leadership New Orleans conference brought 600 young Jewish professionals together to learn about the concept of tikkun olam.
Jewish New Orleans
The history of the New Orleans Jewish Community spans 250 years, but most of the early Jewish settlers came after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, from the Alsace region of France. In this frontier town not bound by traditions, Jews were able to be very successful in politics, and New Orleans native Judah Benjamin became the first Jewish senator. The early Jews of New Orleans were not very focused on religious observance, however, and were in danger of assimilating into the Catholic community until philanthropist Judah Touro came along and founded a synagogue, and supported many others.
The community was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. One synagogue was destroyed and several were damaged, and about 3,000 Jews left and did not return to the city. However, the Jews in New Orleans today feel their community is strong. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans has shown incredible resilience in helping the Jewish community regain momentum since Katrina and is an important partner in welcoming the Jewish world to the first GA held in New Orleans.
For more information on Jewish community resources in New Orleans, the Federation has a terrific downloadable directory Click Here to Download
Check out our list of restaurant recommendations for those times when the kosher meals available at the GA just aren't as interesting as a foray out into the city.
10 Things to Do in New Orleans before or after the GA
1. Walk around the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a collection of modern and contemporary sculptures distributed across five acres
2. Get lost in the New Orleans Museum of Art, which contains 46 impressive and diverse galleries
3. Visit The Cabildo, the site of the Louisiana Purchase and the Spanish Colonial Government; this historic building contains more than 1,000 artifacts and original works of art
4. Explore Frenchman Street, which is full of bars with great live music
5. Ride the Streetcar! It's only $1.25, and it goes down St. Charles, which is full of famous restaurants, including Emeril's Delmonico
6. Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum, located in the Treme (the oldest African-American neighborhood in the US) and see memorabilia from Mardi Gras, Jazz funerals, and other New Orleans traditions
7. Relax in Audubon Park, and marvel at its oak trees, lagoons, and expansive green space
8. Bring joy to your ears at Preservation Hall, the epicenter of the New Orleans jazz scene, where people flock to this no-frills performance space each night to hear an amazing sound and keep the roots of American music alive
9. Pet a baby shark or see a white alligator at the world-renown Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, which is filled with creatures you've never seen before
10. Eat at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter - their beignets are an integral part of the New Orleans experience. This is a kosher restaurant.