Congregation Beth Israel Members and Community:

With the war in Israel just beginning what will likely be a difficult and protracted ground stage, in lieu of our annual fall fundraiser, our community’s efforts will help our brothers and sisters in Israel:

Congregation Beth Israel in partnership with Israel Bonds announces a “Double Mitzvah” campaign, benefiting Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.

The concept is simple:

Mitzvah One: Buy Israel Bonds, helping to provide the nation with financial resources at this critical time. Please contact Brad Young at Israel Bonds, 404-817-0617 / bradley.young@israelbonds.com.

Mitzvah Two: Consider donating the bond purchase to Magen David Adom, providing impactful assistance for their critical emergency medical services. We are fortunate to have a donor who has generously agreed to match a portion of our community’s emergency bond project. And the campaign works with any Israel Bonds product, ranging from $36 to $100,000.

Below, please find two flyers with information about the Israel Bonds event on November 15 featuring Dr. Kenneth Stein [limited seating for bond buyers] and a Magen David Adom’s urgent needs sheet. The New Orleans community’s goal is to raise $115,000 for a Life Support Ambulance; and if we exceed that amount, our stretch goal is to raise $140,000 for a Mobile Intensive Care Unit.

While we encourage all to participate in the “double mitzvah,” we understand that everyone’s finances are different. Israel Bonds are paying competitive interest rates and if you cannot donate the bond to Magen David Adom, purchasing a bond is still a worthy mitzvah and benefits the State of Israel at this time of grave need. Please respond immediately by contacting Brad Young at Israel Bonds, 404-817-0617 / bradley.young@israelbonds.com, as soon as possible!

We pray for the safety and security of all of Israel, that its defenders should know immediate and complete success, and for the quick return of our brothers and sisters still held in captivity.

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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.