Congregation Beth Israel Announces New Rabbi
As president of Congregation Beth Israel, I am delighted to announce that Rabbi Philip Kaplan, his wife Abra Forman and their son Roee have expressed interest in becoming Congregation Beth Israel’s next Rabbinic family and would like to make Metairie, Louisiana their new home.
A Yeshivat Chovevei Torah graduate and former Associate Rabbi of The Great Synagogue of Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Phil desires to ascend to our pulpit in mid/late May! He brings a deep knowledge of Torah, a passion for building a warm and welcoming Jewish community and an enchanting chazzan voice to our congregation.
Details are now being completed and we expect to meet soon as a congregation to give final approval for Rabbi Phil to become Beth Israel’s next Rabbi.
On behalf of the Rabbinic Search Committee and the Executive Committee of Congregation Beth Israel, please join me in welcoming Rabbi Phil, Abra, & Roee to our community!
Harold A. Pesses
President, Congregation Beth Israel
Metairie Eruv Repairs Completed - Eruv Is Kosher!
The Metairie Community Eruv, established by Beth Israel in 2012, has enabled the observant community in the Metairie area to grow over the past decade. An eruv is a critical component of Jewish communal infrastructure, allowing for the carrying of items beyond a person's private domain on Shabbat.
Over the past six months, we have worked with Rabbi Stephen Belsky, an eruv builder and consultant, to restore our community eruv. After a significant amount of work rerouting the eruv and physically rebuilding its infrastructure, we are thrilled to announce the completion of the Metairie Community Eruv earlier this week!
This timing is most appropriate, as we find ourselves in the midst of a series of Torah portions devoted to the building of the Mishkan, a communal project which relied on the freewill donations of community members. These donations came in multiple forms; both through the giving of time and of "treasure." We, too, are asking for your contributions in each of these areas to firm up the ground upon which our eruv was built.
Find out more about how to donate your time and financially support the Metairie Community Eruv.
Congregation Beth Israel - Participate Online
As we at Congregation Beth Israel begin to emerge from the pandemic, we will continue to gradually shift our offerings towards in-person while maintaining a strong virtual presence. Please reach out for the Zoom links to our virtual classes, or feel free to join us in person (proof of vaccine required) for our in-person services and programs.
What's even better than watching? Joining in! Click below to join via Zoom.
Note, for those participating in closed meetings, check with Rabbi Josh or our shul leadership for meeting specific Zoom invitations.
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