Join Congregation Beth Israel next Friday evening, February 7, as we host Arnie Fielkow for a Shabbat dinner to discuss the changing landscape in Ukraine and how our American Jewish communities have a continuing and critical role to play.

Arnie needs no introduction for most. From his roles as Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints, to President of City Council in the formative post-Katrina years, and CEO of our own Jewish Federation, Arnie has touched the lives of nearly all in the community. He is a close friend of Congregation Beth Israel.

Since the invasion by Russia of Ukraine and the outbreak of the war in 2022, Arnie has focused his efforts on Ukraine advocacy and programing, often through the lens of Jewish community to Jewish community.

Immediately follows Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv evening services, 6:00 pm. Click here to register.

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.