December 22, 2022

Trip shows HBCU presidents possibilities in Israel connections

Charlotte Morris and Daniel Wims By Richard Friedman and Keila Lawrence Six distinguished presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities visited Israel recently, including two from Alabama. It’s not surprising that two of the six were from Alabama since the state has the highest number […]
December 22, 2022

“American Birthright” explores questions of Jewish identity

Why be Jewish? For Israeli-born Becky Tahel, that question about faith and identity came as an evolution from an exploration of why someone Jewish should marry Jewish, after her younger sister and only sibling married a non-Jew. Her search for answers led to “American Birthright,” […]
December 20, 2022

New Orleans Federation honors “public servant” Fielkow on retirement

“We must keep meeting like this,” said Touro Rabbi Katie Bauman, in opening the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans’ 2022 annual celebration, a nod to the continuing return to normal after Covid. The Dec. 7 event was to celebrate the tenure of Arnie Fielkow […]
December 18, 2022

Broadening Federation’s Reach: Fielkow reflects on time as CEO

File photo Arnie Fielkow says his retirement as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans is “bittersweet” as “I have truly grown to love the work I do and the people I am privileged to work with. “At the same time,” he said, […]
December 17, 2022

Baton Rouge, Mobile Jewish Film Festivals in January

The Man in the Basement The Baton Rouge and Mobile Jewish Film Festivals, which will both take place in January, have two films in common this year. “Farewell Mr. Haffman” opens the Mobile festival, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at Springhill Avenue Temple, and closes […]
December 6, 2022

Gitenstein: Finding her way from Florala

By Richard Friedman  When you can’t get a book out of your mind, the author has done a great job. Rose Barbara Gitenstein, who grew up as one of about 15 Jews in Florala, a tiny dot on the map along the Alabama side of the Alabama-Florida […]
December 1, 2022

Eight Orthodox schools hold basketball Shabbaton, tournament at Auburn

Coach Bruce Pearl addresses students at Neville Arena at Auburn Students from eight Orthodox high schools from across the country held a Shabbaton and basketball tournament — at Auburn University. The National Council of Synagogue Youth, a division of the Orthodox Union, and Athletes for […]
December 1, 2022

Editorial: Chanukah — Hiding in Plain Sight

It’s time to show up and show out. Chanukah is a time when there are numerous high-profile, public events. This year, it’s time to embrace those events and show up. That may seem to go against the grain. There are numerous articles about people in […]
November 29, 2022

New CEO Stephanie Levin sees Nola JCC as a center of inclusion

Stephanie Levin blows the shofar with preschoolers at the New Orleans JCC After working in the Jewish Community Center world in California for over two decades, Stephanie Levin wants to see the New Orleans JCC become even more open and welcoming to all. Levin became […]