ChabadNewOrleans Blog - Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana

A Slice of NOLA Jewish History

Friday, January 17, 2025 - 10:35 AM

Fifty years ago, a friendship developed between Rabbi Jeffrey Bienenfeld, the Rabbi of Beth Israel in New Orleans, and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, the advance scout for the Rebbe in setting up new Chabad outposts. Rabbi Kotlarsky visited New Orleans and met Rabbi Bienenfeld, and he subsequently invited him to New York to attend a Farbrengen (gathering) with the Rebbe in January of 1975. The occasion was 25 years of the Rebbe’s leadership.

Over the course of the evening, the Rebbe shared his teachings interspersed with lively singing. During the singing streams of dignitaries, representing communities around the world, came to convey congratulatory wishes to the Rebbe on this occasion.

Rabbi Bienenfeld approached the Rebbe and was introduced. He shook the Rebbe’s hand and declared, “I bring you Shalom from all of the Jews in New Orleans.” The Rebbe thanked him, and continued, “G-d Al-mighty should bless you to make New Orleans a Jewish city.” Rabbi Bienenfeld said L’chaim and returned to his seat.

In late summer of 1975, Rabbi Kotlarsky’s efforts to establish a Chabad presence in New Orleans were bearing fruit. My parents, Rabbi Zelig and Bluma Rivkin, expressed an interest in establishing a Chabad outpost. The Rebbe’s office told them about New Orleans and shortly afterwards they committed to move to New Orleans, which they did in November of 1975.

Rabbi Bienenfeld, with the mandate from the Rebbe to make New Orleans a Jewish city, embraced my parents and their goal of establishing Chabad. Several of his congregants were the first supporters of the Chabad House that was opened near Tulane University in February of 1976. In 1988, Chabad of Louisiana marked its “Bar Mitzvah” year in New Orleans with a Gala Dinner. Rabbi Bienenfeld, who had since moved away from New Orleans, was asked to come back and be the guest speaker. He spoke about meeting the Rebbe at that Farbrengen and how he had come to embrace the message of Chabad.

I think it is fair to say that over 50 years New Orleans has become a much stronger Jewish community. I believe it is fair to say that Chabad has played a central role in making that happen. It all began with a 45 second exchange between the Rebbe and Rabbi Bienenfeld.

We are continuing to coordinate with the Jewish Federation to help the Jewish wounded in the French Quarter terror attack. If you would like to contribute, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).

To help our brothers and sisters in California who are victims of the wildfires, please go to ChabadPalisades.com/firerelief or www.chabadpasadena.com/firerelief. These two centers are on the front lines of the two major fires.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

An Amazing Community / What is the Talmud?

Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 11:09 PM

The Talmud asks, “If our Tefillin contain the Shema, praising the One G-d, what do G-d’s proverbial Tefillin contain? The Talmud’s reply (a verse from Samuel), “Mi K’amcha, K’Yisrael” Who is like Your people, O Israel?”

What we have seen from our Jewish community in the past week here in New Orleans confirms the Talmud’s statement with an exclamation point. Following the terror attack on New Year’s morning, we learned that the were several Jewish people among the wounded, including two Israelis. Within a few hours, our Chabad team was on site at the hospitals to assist. We have partnered with the Jewish Federation to ensure that our brothers and sisters are being cared for. Apartments have been set up for the families that came from Israel and stay with their wounded loved ones. Food is brought to the hospital several times a day. Streams of people from the Jewish community visit the patients and their families. Visitation rotation has been set up and the support has been amazing.

From around the community, people are reaching out to see what they can do to help. Some have offered housing, others cooking, others friendship, others medical expertise and referrals, and many are looking to contribute financially to the support effort. People are emotionally invested and are constantly inquiring as to the welfare of our injured brothers and sisters.

As mentioned, we have been coordinating with the Jewish Federation to optimize the help that is being given to our brothers and sisters in their time of need. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).

Speaking of the Talmud, what exactly is the Talmud?

This question makes people freeze. Your friend or coworker asks about the Talmud, and you’re left searching for words. You know it’s a big part of Judaism. Talmud study is practically the definition of Jewish learning. But who wrote it, what did they write, and why?

In 1240, King Louis IX put the Talmud on trial in Paris, ordered France’s rabbis to defend it against an antisemitic provocateur, and burned thousands of volumes. Antisemites still misconstrue the Talmud today. When people ask about it, what will you say?

In 2011, South Korea’s ambassador went on Israeli TV with a book named “Talmud.” “Every Korean family has at least one copy,” he said. “Mothers want to know how so many Jews became geniuses.” It turns out that an adaptation of the Talmud has gone through seventy printings in Japan and was subsequently made popular in Korea.

They’re fascinated. What about us? The Talmud is a huge part of our heritage—and it’s not just reserved for scholars. Does it contain the secret to Jewish success? Let’s learn.

I’m delighted to be leading a new course from JLI called Decoding the Talmud. It’s the crash course in Talmud for every thinking Jew.

Decoding the Talmud: Inside the Story, Substance, and Significance of the Book that Defines Judaism. You’ll get an insider’s view of what the Talmud really is, what purpose it serves, and why it matters, and you’ll taste Talmud study for yourself. The next time you get asked about the Talmud, you’ll have the knowledge for a confident, smart conversation on this truly extraordinary book.

For more information go to www.chabadneworleans.com/jli. Our six-part course begins on Wednesday, January 29.

The Metairie course option runs on Tuesdays. More information at www.jewishlouisiana.com/jli.

I hope you will join us. Try the first class with no commitment.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

PS: Donate blood this Monday, January 13th at Chabad of Metairie, to help those injured in the Bourbon Street attack. This blood drive is being dedicated to the two Israeli patients from the attack, and a credit will go towards their medical care for every person who donates blood. To sign up: www.tbcdonors.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/54111

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Friday, January 3, 2025 - 12:17 PM

Our community is reeling from the terror attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day. You may be aware that there are several Jews among the wounded, including some from Israel. From the moment we were made aware of this, representatives of Chabad have been actively involved in caring and advocating for them, and now in assisting the families who have since arrived to be with their wounded loved ones. We have been coordinating with the Jewish Federation to optimize the help that is being given to our brothers and sisters in their time of need. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can do so at www.chabadneworleans.com/donate (Chabad) or www.jewishnola.com (Federation) and specify that this contribution is to be designated for this purpose (Jewish wounded).

Many of us have seen the profile of the perpetrator. He seems like a guy you would pass in the street and think that he was a “regular dude.” You would have even used him as a realtor or consultant. He was a military veteran. How does one transition from being a regular everyday kind of guy to an enraged maniac who sought to wreak carnage upon our city and society in the name of his convoluted ideology?

I am sure that psychologists and social scientists will have plenty of opportunities to analyze this question and suggest explanations. However, I would like to take this in another direction. If one can go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of evil, it is certainly possible to go from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” on the side of goodness.

We have all met people that would otherwise be regarded as ordinary, who have accomplished extraordinary things. With the proper intentionality and effort, we can make a major difference in the world that we inhabit. It begins with becoming filled with love (instead of rage) and then orienting ourselves in the direction of making a difference. Then we identify the area in which we can begin implementing. Then comes meticulous planning, hard work, and relentless pursuit of your goal. Before you know it, you have become a powerful force for goodness and G-dliness.

It matters little whether the world recognizes your achievements, or if it gets widespread media coverage or thousands of likes on social media. Hashem knows what you have done and those whose lives you have impacted, feel the difference as well.

Let’s get out there and start accomplishing extraordinary things. We will fill this world with the light of goodness and kindness, the light of Hashem. You can make a difference!

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin

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