New Orleans Reform and Orthodox communities form bonds
Seven years ago an iconic picture for many Jews of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina was of men waist deep in a flooded synagogue carrying Torahs to safety. On August 26, in a celebration of physical and spiritual unity, the Torahs of that congregation were carried into their new home next to the Reform congregation that offered space to the Modern Orthodox synagogue and now shares with it a new playground.
Photo: Members of ZAKA rescuing a Torah from Congregation Beth Israel after Hurricane Katrina hit, August 2005 (Courtesy ZAKA)