Rededication of Torah Scrolls at Congregation
Shir Chadash, Metarie, Louisiana, December 2005
Delta Airlines, I discovered was offering special inexpensive fares to those who would book their tickets in advance by visiting a ticket agent at LaGuardia. Was I ever impressed that a major US Airline was actually doing a small act of kindness to encourage similar acts of kindness for those who had a burning desire to help Katrina's victims.
Here are some of the highlights of my two trips to New Orleans.
I visited five Synagogues (prayed at three) in both New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi to lend support to those members who had chosen to remain and rebuild after the storm's devastation.
I hooked up with L J Goldstein a New Orleans lawyer and photographer and the two of us particpated in the rededication of Congregation Shir Chadash in Metarie. The president told how much he appreciated my coming down and participating in the relocation of the Torah scrolls to the ark.
The Torah scrolls, which had been in storage for 3 months were once again placed in the ark; then the Hannukah candles, which commemorate the rededication of the Temple in the Hasmonian times, were lit.
The Congregation lost nearly one-third of its members just after Katrina struck and slowly these members were filtering back from Memphis, Atlanta, Houston and other locales. LJ and I were treated to an elaborate Kosher Chinese buffet dinner. (slide show of this event is forthcoming).
An off-shore casino boat was washed ashore
at Biloxi, Mississippi, photographer RJ Schwartz
A trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, a two hour drive from New Orleans, showed the devastating effects of Katrina upon this gulf community. A large casino ship in the harbor was destroyed and brought ashore. There were bare remains of waterfront estates. It was like bombs had dropped from the sky leaving only bare foundations of homes. Acres and acres of concrete steles (pillars) were like gravestones in a huge cemetary.
Seagulls usually in abundance, were not to be seen. (I took a photo of a solitary bird flying the coastline)
Destroyed Mansions along Beach Boulevard. in Biloxi, Mississippi
The area resembles a mutilated graveyard, December 2005,
photographer RJ Schwartz
There were no streetlights, no restaurants, no grocery stores, no gas pumps. Biloxi was a deserted town. The Synagogue, needless to say was shuttered; people were still in shock.
To be continued.
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