Shir Chadash Newsletter

May 25 - May 31, 2023

5 Sivan - 11 Sivan 5783

CHAG SHAVUOT SAMEACH!

Due to tomorrow being chag, we can't send out our regular Shabbat e-mail, but don't you worry - you can view it HERE!

Mazel Tov!

Thursday, May 25th - Erev Shavuot

8:30 pm, Tikkun Leil Shavuot Program with Rabbis Hoffman, Gerber, and Kaplan at Congregation Beth Israel



Friday, May 26th - Shavuot, Day 1

OFFICE CLOSED

9:15 am, Shavuot Services + Yizkor

6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, May 27th - Shavuot, Day 2

9:30 am, Shabbat/Shavuot Morning Services, followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Avi & Fanya Gedalia in honor of their 53rd wedding anniversary - with a kid-friendly ice cream bar included

10 am, Babysitting

10:30 am, Family Shabbat featuring special musical guest, Meryl Zimmerman

10:30 am, Jr. Congregation with Izzy Bagneris

Sunday, May 28th

9:15 am, Memorial Day Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast, hosted by Nathan & Robin Lew with the Jewish War Veterans Ben Katz Post 580

1:30 pm,  CPR/AED Training - Registration is now closed

Tuesday, May 30th

11 am, Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, May 31st

10 am, Sisterhood Class: The Book of Legends

Thursday, June 1st

8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom



Friday, June 2nd

6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services

Saturday, June 3

9:30 am, Shabbat Morning Services, followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Ed & Elissa Bluth in honor of Elissa's 75th birthday

10 am, Babysitting

10:30 am, Learn to Lead (for ages 7-12)

Sunday, June 4th

9:15 am, Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast



Tuesday, June 6th

6 pm, Security Presentation - Open to all!

Wednesday, June 7th

10 am, Read & Lead with Sisterhood

Thursday, June 8th

8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom



Friday, June 9th

6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services

Join us TONIGHT as we once again come together to worship, connect, and learn for Shavuot!

Ben Katz Post 580 (New Orleans, LA) of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) respectfully requests your presence at its Memorial Day Weekend Commemoration event on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Memorial Day is when Americans honor those who died in service to our country.  (NOTE: Veterans Day honors all those who is either currently serving or have served in the United States Military.)

Please help our post in remembering these Jewish Americans’ great sacrifice. Hosted by Post 580 Memorial Day Weekend Committee Co-Chairs, Jack Gross and Nathan Lew, these events will honor Fallen Jewish Service Members of World War II, and those of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Freedom’s Sentinel.

On Sunday, May 28th, Shir Chadash's Men’s Club will hold Minyan starting at 9:15am. A breakfast will follow services – Post Judge Advocate Nathan Lew and his wife, Robin, will host on behalf of the synagogue and the Men’s Club. 

After minyan and breakfast, all are encouraged to meet for the post’s formal patriotic memorial ceremony at the Congregation Gates of Prayer Cemetery (located at 1428 Joseph Street in New Orleans) starting at 11:30am. Following the JWV Manual of Ceremonies, the post will follow the tradition of given honors and praying for those who lost their lives in battle on this solemn holiday weekend. Post Commander Carol Berman and Post Chaplain Rabbi David Posternock will lead the attendees in the activities and prayer, respectively. Post Patriotic Instructor Jack Gross will provide information about Saul Zion and David Zoller, two Jewish Service Members who died in battle during World War II and are buried in the Gates of Prayer Cemetery. Gary Zoller, nephew of David Zoller, will represent the Zoller family at this event. Once the official JWV protocols are complete, a wreath-laying ceremony with Post Color Sergeant, Dr. Hilton Title, performing Taps will be observed.  A minyan is needed for the Mourner’s Kaddish. This event should not exceed 30 minutes.

Please contact Joel Picker, Post Quartermaster at jpicker2@cox.net, or Carol Berman, Post Commander at commandernolap580jwv@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. 

A list composed by the National Museum of American Jewish Military History of those we lost within the last 20 years during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts is distributed throughout the country on behalf of JWV to remind all Americans of these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. You can view that list HERE.

Saturdays by the Pool

For the month of June, members of Shir Chadash will be allowed to use the Metairie JCC's pool on Saturdays FREE OF CHARGE. If you are a member of Shir Chadash without a JCC membership aged 18 or up, simply provide photo ID and sign-in at the front desk.

The Metairie JCC's pool is open on Saturdays from 1-6:30 PM.

We are excited to partner with JP NOLA and several other Jewish organizations in the Greater New Orleans area to march with a full-sized float through the streets of the French Quarter in the official NOLA Pride Parade on June 10th. There is limited space on the float, but unlimited room for marchers. The meeting location will be sent before parade day. Registration is required.

CLASSES WITH RABBI HOFFMAN

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is excited to announce the opening of its newest Special Exhibit! Titled “God, Goats and Pickup Trucks: Maurice Schmidt’s Visions of Texas,” the exhibition features 23 artworks celebrating the deep connection between the land and the divine that has come to characterize life in the Bible Belt. The collection ranges over the diverse Texas landscape through subjects both pastoral and holy.

Come see the exhibit, on display at MSJE until May 31, and mention that Shir Chadash is your congregation for a discounted ticket!

CHESED OPPORTUNITIES

Some of our congregants have some difficulty driving at night, but still wish to attend evening services and programming. Shir Chadash wishes to be as inclusive as possible and hopefully provide assistance to those who may need it.

If you need assistance in getting to shul in the evening OR are able and willing to provide a ride to those in need, please fill out the survey below.

Assistance Requested

Beloved member of the New Orleans Jewish community, Nita-Joan Sams, is seeking a full-time, live-in mature female companion who can also assist with transportation. Free room and board plus payment for services. Respondents must have a current driver's license and computer skills. If interested, please call 504.831.8475 x7245 (ask for Kiolga) or email kiolga@jfsneworleans.org.

Vanessa Cohen is an early childhood educator at the New Orleans JCC. This will be her sixth year teaching there. Vanessa was recently diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. She is taking at least the first semester off from teaching to undergo aggressive cancer treatment which includes radiation and chemotherapy. If you know Vanessa, then you know she is one of the most caring and loving humans on this planet. She takes an interest in every single student. Teaching young and curious minds is Vanessa's greatest love, so for her to have to take extended time off of work must have been an especially challenging decision for her. As a teacher at the JCC, Vanessa has always supported her students and their families with so much enthusiasm and warmth. 

Even with health insurance, Vanessa will have many medical bills and extra expenses as a part of her treatment. FMLA will not be enough to support Vanessa with all of her routine and extra expenses. Now is our time to give back and show our support for Vanessa. Please donate if you can and please feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be willing to help.  

Shir Chadash Website

Online Giving

Great Non Profits Reviewed

USCJ

Crescent City Jewish News

Southern Jewish Life

Jewish Community Day School

PJ Library