October 31, 2018

United New Orleans community expresses solidarity at Pittsburgh memorial

Members of the New Orleans City Council spoke at the Shir Chadash remembrance on Oct. 28 One day after 11 Jews were murdered during Shabbat services at Tree of Life in Pittsburgh, an overflow crowd filled the sanctuary and social hall of Shir Chadash in […]
October 30, 2018

Before Pittsburgh, worst synagogue attack in U.S. history was in Alabama

Before Pittsburgh, where was the worst attack on a Jewish prayer service in U.S. history? Gadsden, Alabama. Gary Zola, director of the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Pittsburgh attack was the first time in U.S. history that Jews were […]
October 30, 2018

Standing together: Vigils for Pittsburgh begin across the region

Gathering to remember the victims of the Tree of Life shooting, at the Alexandria, La., Holocaust memorial Jewish communities around the region have been joined by their neighbors in holding vigils and community gatherings following the murder of 11 members of Tree of Life in […]
October 28, 2018

Region’s communities react to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Tree of Life in Pittsburgh This morning’s attack on a Shabbat service at Tree of Life in Pittsburgh reverberated throughout the region. According to reports, 46-year-old Robert Bowers entered the building this morning, shouted “All these Jews need to die” and opened fire, killing 11 […]
October 25, 2018

Temple Sinai Rabbi Reimer leaving New Orleans next summer

Rabbi Matthew Reimer with New Orleans City Councilor Joe Giarrusso earlier this summer On Oct. 24, New Orleans Temple Sinai President Robin Giarrusso informed the congregation that Rabbi Matthew Reimer had requested that his contract not be renewed next summer The announcement comes two weeks […]
October 19, 2018

Bobby Garon to head Louisiana’s Jewish Endowment Foundation

Andrea S. (Andi) Lestelle, president of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, announced that R. Justin (Bobby) Garon will become JEF’s next executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2019. He will succeed Sandy Levy, who has headed the agency for 27 years, growing the overall assets […]
October 18, 2018

Alabama connections in program bringing Israeli, Palestinian business leaders together in Ariel

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson receives the key to Ariel, Mobile’s sister city in Israel Oct. 16 was a historic day in Ariel, and Birmingham-based JH Israel was in the middle of it. David Friedman, the United States ambassador to Israel, made an official visit to […]
October 17, 2018

Next Gen report sets “road map” for future of Birmingham’s Jewish community

Members of the Next Gen board present their “road map” for Jewish Birmingham Four years of discussions that began with Reimagine Jewish Birmingham culminated with the presentation of a “Road Map: Toward a Vibrant and Sustainable Jewish Birmingham” on Oct. 15. The proposal was developed […]
October 12, 2018

Panhandle Jewish communities assess damage from Hurricane Michael

Outside B’nai Israel in Panama City. Photo by Adam Braun. Like their neighbors, Jewish communities along the Florida panhandle are assessing the widespread damage from Hurricane Michael, which came ashore just east of Panama City on Oct. 10 as one of the most powerful hurricanes […]