New Orleans Federation releases post-election community statement

Anti-Semitic graffiti in New Orleans after the election (ADL via Twitter)

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans released a community statement in the aftermath of the 2016 election, following a joint meeting of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and Anti-Defamation League.

At the meeting, there was a “lively discussion” of trends and concerns in the community.

In addition, the Nov. 28 statement listed resources for the community for a wide range of issues.

Any hate-related incident should be reported to the Anti-Defamation League. Earlier in the month, the ADL tweeted a photo of anti-Semitic graffiti on a wall on Tchoupitoulas Street. The ADL’s reporting link is here.

Community-related issues should be addressed to Michael Weil, Federation executive director. The JCRC also has a “rapid response team” if an incident arises that requires a “large community effort.”

The statement also notes that those in need of emotional support should reach out to the synagogues, rabbis and Jewish Family Service.

“We strongly believe in the values and resilience of our great nation to take us towards a rosy future. This is a time for us all to come together and build a strong future collaboratively,” Weil wrote.

“The Jewish community in New Orleans is passionate, involved, and committed to justice, and the great work of all of our Jewish agencies and congregations exemplifies the best of our path forward. We are here for you and we are here for the greater New Orleans community.”


The Community Statement reads:

The Jewish community in New Orleans represents a broad spectrum of thought and political opinion. Our traditions and history mandate that we promote dignity, liberty, inclusiveness and pluralism while safeguarding the equal rights of all people regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Recent political events have given rise to some voices and trends that are divisive and run counter to the values and principles of this great nation. New Orleans is a place that fosters multiculturalism and diversity. We offer our neighbors, especially those who are at greatest risk, our pledge to embrace, guard, support and protect them.

Our Torah commands us: “Do not ill-treat a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt. Do not oppress a stranger; you yourselves know how it feels to be a stranger [literally, ‘you know the soul of a stranger’], because you were strangers in Egypt.”

Our Jewish tradition speaks to our individual capacity for kindness, strength, and justice, and to our nation’s responsibility to be a welcoming place for all.

Making our community and city a more welcoming place will require empathy and working together. Too often, we exist in our own “bubble,” whether it’s in our social networks, the media we consume, or the books we read. We must listen and get to know people whom we don’t know or understand – those outside our bubble – and we must reach out to them, so we can mend the rifts that were so painfully revealed during the election campaign and move our country forward in unity.

Please know that even in the darkest hours, you are not alone—while we must be vigilant, we must not be afraid! Together we pledge that our organizations and congregations will continue to be places of safety, protecting the vulnerable, reaching out to those who are under threat and offering them our allegiance and support.

If you see or hear something unsettling or hurtful to our community, report it to the Anti-Defamation League.

We call to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Learn to do good. Devote yourself to justice. Aid the wronged…”

Together we are stronger, and by working together we will enable the Jewish community to fulfill its mandate to pursue justice.

The statement was signed by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans on behalf of the Jewish community, including: Anti-Defamation League, AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Congregation Anshe Sfard, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Gates of Prayer, Hadassah, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Day School, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, Jewish Family Service, Moishe House, National Council of Jewish Women: GNO Section, Northshore Jewish Congregation, Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, Temple Sinai, Touro Synagogue, Tulane Hillel, Woldenberg Village.