Earlier this week we humbly asked for your support of our campaign to raise $150,000 in 36 hours. We are pleased to share with you that the campaign was successful. This is important to us on many levels. Firstly, these funds constitute about one third of our annual budget, so the success of the effort give us a considerable lead in our fundraising for the rest of the year.
But what is even more meaningful to us is, that over 300 donor households were moved by the Chabad of Louisiana story sufficiently to participate in the campaign. The group of donors included current members of the New Orleans Jewish community, former New Orleanians who retain a warm spot in their heart for Chabad of Louisiana, visitors to our city who benefitted from Chabad’s hospitality over the years, and investors and businesspeople that regularly come through Chabad when they are in town. 300 individuals who are entrusting us with their investment dollars to ensure the continuity of Jewish life in the Greater New Orleans region.
That’s a lot of love. Our narrative throughout this campaign has been, that Chabad is about relationships. Our 11 matching donor households, and the 300 contributing donor households, have demonstrated that they appreciate those relationships, and they reciprocated by sending their love our way!
The funds are critical. But the love that accompanied them is extremely uplifting. I wish to share with you a sampling of the messages we received.
One individual, to whom I wrote “We appreciate the warm spot our community holds in your heart!”, responded, “You don’t even know the half of it! All my best.”
“We miss the very warm and special Jewish community of New Orleans. It’s the best Chabad House we’ve ever been to.”
“The NOLA community is and always will be my first real Jewish community, so I think about it quite frequently.”
“Money is an easy thing to give. Putting your time and effort into the community is a lot harder. Thanks for all that you guys do!”
“I am happy to send a contribution to Chabad of Louisiana. My wife and I will forever be grateful to your parents for their kindness and hospitality.”
“I was at your shul the Shabbos morning of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shootings. I remember starting to leave after davening when someone rushed in with the news. In the face of mounting dangers, I took comfort that beautiful, warm Shabbos morning and the warm reception I received at your Shul. Hope to visit again.”
This is what it is all about. It is love that binds to Hashem and to each other. Thank you for the love!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin