Dear Friends,
Last month my husband, Morris, and I had the privilege of traveling to Normandy with The National WWII Museum. Visiting Utah and Omaha beaches and walking through the American Cemetery was a profoundly moving experience. Seeing the graves of so many young soldiers, 18, 19, 20 years old, was a stark reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom.
As Americans, and especially as Jewish Americans, we owe an immense debt of gratitude to those who fought and to their families. I stood in awe of their courage and sacrifice.
As we look toward the close of the year, I am filled with awe and gratitude yet again. The excitement I feel for all that is happening through the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans stems from the commitment and creativity of our dedicated staff, led by Sherri Tarr. I am deeply appreciative of the diverse and impactful work they do for our community, and New Orleans as a whole. Their care for us all is tangible.
Our Executive Committee and Board have been hard at work preparing for the year ahead. Each fall, we focus on building new budgets and working closely with our Constituent and Beneficiary Agencies to allocate funds thoughtfully and responsibly. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dana Shepard, Jennifer Nierman, and the talented members of our Allocations Committee for their tireless efforts and long hours behind the scenes. Your dedication ensures that Federation effectively supports the Jewish organizations we all know and rely on, the programs and services that strengthen Jewish life in New Orleans.
As we look ahead, I also want to recognize those who help us plan for a strong financial future. Randy Roig, Kathy Shepard, and Elizabeth Stern, you are invaluable. Thank you for your leadership and expertise in preparing the 2026 Annual Budget.
Each time I visit the Federation offices at the Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metairie, which is admittedly quite often these days, gratitude emerges once again. Our building project is making tremendous progress. The next time you pick up your kids from the Jewish Community Day School or use the workout facilities at the JCC here in Metairie, you’ll experience these developments firsthand. It’s a tangible sign of growth and renewal for our Federation.
As this article goes to press, Sherri Tarr (CEO), Aaron Bloch (Director of Multicultural and Governmental Affairs), Susan Green (2025 Campaign Co-Chair & Platinum Lion), Megan Yellin (2025 Herbert & Margot Garon Young Leadership Award Winner), and I are attending the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in Washington, D.C.. I am eager to learn, connect, and bring back insights that will help us continue to grow and thrive as a Federation. There’s no place on earth like New Orleans, and there’s no Jewish community quite like ours. I look forward to sharing more from my experience at the General Assembly with you soon.
In the meantime, I wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you too are confronted by awe and gratitude as you witness the examples of commitment and progress in your own lives. Please don’t forget to register for our Annual Celebration on Wednesday, December 10 at the Audubon Tea Room. It’s always a meaningful time of reflection and anticipation. December is full of wonderful community events. Be sure to check the calendar often, so you don’t miss out!
And finally, thank you for being part of this vibrant community. Together, we are building a strong, connected, and enduring Jewish future in Greater New Orleans.