Resolution in Solidarity with the New Orleans Jewish Community Following Hurricane Katrina

Whereas the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing flood that breached the floodwalls and the levee system of New Orleans has become one of the United States’ worst disasters ever;

Whereas Jews have lived in and participated in the life of the greater New Orleans area for generations, building up a visible civic presence, the loss of which would have repercussions not only in New Orleans and Louisiana but nationally;

Whereas the Jewish community in the New Orleans, which previously numbered between 10-12,000 individuals, has seen a tremendous decline and despair in its population in the wake of the hurricane; and

Whereas it is important to show solidarity with both the general and Jewish communities of New Orleans mipnei darkhei shalom;

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly, as a show of solidarity, will hold a kallah, if possible, in conjunction with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, whose main function is limmud in New Orleans, Louisiana, before Sept. 2008, infrastructure permitting;

Be it further resolved that the aforementioned kallah will include in its schedule at least one plenary session in one of New Orleans' historic Jewish locations, open to and inviting Jewish New Orleanians to be present and to benefit from Rabbinical Assembly programming;

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly express its solidarity with the Jewish community of New Orleans, all the people of New Orleans, and all those who were stricken by Hurricane Katrina.

Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, March, 2006