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Total Categories: 5
Congregation Beth Israel is recognized as the oldest Orthodox congregation in the New Orleans region.
Answer: True
The congregation holds the distinction of being the oldest Orthodox congregation within the New Orleans metropolitan area.
The founding date of Congregation Beth Israel is definitively recorded as 1903.
Answer: False
Historical records present conflicting information regarding the founding date, with some sources indicating 1903 and others 1904, thus it is not definitively recorded as solely 1903.
In the mid-19th century, New Orleans had only one small Orthodox congregation.
Answer: False
During the mid-19th century, New Orleans was home to several small Orthodox congregations, often organized along nationalistic lines, serving various immigrant groups.
Tememe Derech was the only Orthodox congregation in New Orleans at its time to build its own synagogue.
Answer: True
Tememe Derech, established in 1857, held the unique distinction among contemporary Orthodox congregations in New Orleans of constructing its own dedicated synagogue building in 1867.
Tememe Derech merged with other congregations in 1903 or 1904 to form Congregation Beth Israel.
Answer: True
The congregation Tememe Derech disbanded around 1903 or 1904, subsequently merging with other small Orthodox congregations to establish Congregation Beth Israel.
The 1924 Beth Israel building had a seating capacity of approximately 500 people.
Answer: False
The 1924 building, a Byzantine Revival structure, was designed with a seating capacity of 1,200, not 500.
The Menorah Institute, built in 1926, served primarily as an administrative office building for the congregation.
Answer: False
The Menorah Institute, constructed in 1926, functioned as an educational facility, housing a nursery school, Hebrew school, and Sunday school, rather than an administrative office.
Congregation Beth Israel acquired its own cemetery on Frenchmen Street during the 1930s.
Answer: True
In the 1930s, Congregation Beth Israel purchased a dedicated cemetery located on Frenchmen Street.
Moses Hyman Goldberg was the first rabbi appointed by Congregation Beth Israel.
Answer: True
Moses Hyman Goldberg served as the inaugural rabbi for Congregation Beth Israel, although his tenure was brief.
The 1924 Byzantine Revival building had a seating capacity of 1,200.
Answer: True
The synagogue building completed in 1924, designed in the Byzantine Revival style, featured a substantial seating capacity of 1,200 individuals.
In 1918, Beth Israel's income was $6,000, equivalent to about $125,000 today.
Answer: True
Financial records from 1918 indicate an income of $6,000 for Congregation Beth Israel, which equates to approximately $125,000 in contemporary currency value.
The 'Polish Congregation' was another name for Tememe Derech.
Answer: True
The congregation known as Tememe Derech, founded by Prussian Jews from Posen, was also referred to as the 'Polish Congregation'.
The Byzantine Revival building completed in 1924 had a seating capacity of 1,200.
Answer: True
The Byzantine Revival synagogue building, finished in 1924, was designed to accommodate 1,200 worshippers.
What is Congregation Beth Israel primarily recognized as in the New Orleans region?
Answer: The oldest Orthodox congregation.
Congregation Beth Israel is recognized as the oldest Orthodox congregation within the New Orleans metropolitan area.
What issue exists regarding the founding date of Congregation Beth Israel?
Answer: Sources conflict, citing both 1903 and 1904.
There is a discrepancy in historical records concerning the founding date, with some sources indicating 1903 and others 1904.
What characterized the Orthodox congregations in New Orleans in the mid-19th century?
Answer: They were small, often organized along nationalistic lines.
In the mid-19th century, Orthodox congregations in New Orleans were typically small and frequently structured based on national origins, serving various groups of Jewish immigrants.
What unique distinction did the Tememe Derech congregation hold among Orthodox synagogues of its time in New Orleans?
Answer: It was the only one to build its own synagogue building.
Tememe Derech was distinguished as the sole Orthodox congregation in New Orleans during its era to construct its own dedicated synagogue edifice.
The Byzantine Revival building of Beth Israel, completed in 1924, featured a seating capacity of:
Answer: 1200
The seating capacity of the Byzantine Revival building, completed in 1924, was 1,200 individuals.
What was the function of the Menorah Institute built in 1926?
Answer: A Talmud Torah building housing various schools.
The Menorah Institute, constructed in 1926, served as a Talmud Torah facility, encompassing a nursery school, Hebrew school, and Sunday school.
When did Beth Israel acquire its own cemetery on Frenchmen Street?
Answer: In the 1930s
Congregation Beth Israel acquired its dedicated cemetery on Frenchmen Street during the 1930s.
What was the 'Polish Congregation' in New Orleans historically associated with?
Answer: Tememe Derech, founded by Prussian Jews from Posen.
The 'Polish Congregation' in New Orleans is historically associated with Tememe Derech, a congregation established in 1857 by Prussian Jews originating from Posen.
Prior to its relocation to Metairie, Congregation Beth Israel's primary location was situated on Canal Boulevard.
Answer: False
The congregation's main location before moving to Metairie was on Carondelet Street; it later relocated to Canal Boulevard in 1971 before the post-Katrina move.
Congregation Beth Israel once held the distinction of being the largest Orthodox congregation in the Southern United States.
Answer: True
During the 1960s, Congregation Beth Israel was recognized as the largest Orthodox congregation in the Southern United States, with a membership exceeding 500 families.
The membership of Congregation Beth Israel experienced a significant increase between the 1960s and 2005.
Answer: False
Contrary to an increase, the congregation's membership significantly declined from over 500 families in the 1960s to fewer than 200 families by 2005.
The congregation relocated from Carondelet Street due to neighborhood deterioration and member migration.
Answer: True
The decision to move from the Carondelet Street location was driven by the decline of the surrounding neighborhood and the movement of congregants to different areas.
By 2005, Congregation Beth Israel was the only synagogue in New Orleans conducting services twice daily.
Answer: True
As of 2005, Congregation Beth Israel uniquely offered services twice daily among the synagogues in New Orleans.
Which street was the primary location of Congregation Beth Israel before its move to Canal Boulevard in 1971?
Answer: Carondelet Street
Before relocating to Canal Boulevard in 1971, Congregation Beth Israel's primary location was on Carondelet Street.
What was Congregation Beth Israel's membership status in the Southern United States during the 1960s?
Answer: It was the largest Orthodox congregation.
During the 1960s, Congregation Beth Israel was recognized as the largest Orthodox congregation in the Southern United States.
The 2005 levee failure disaster following Hurricane Katrina caused only minor damage to the Canal Boulevard synagogue building.
Answer: False
The levee failure disaster resulted in severe flooding and extensive damage to the Canal Boulevard synagogue building, rendering it unusable.
All seven of Congregation Beth Israel's Torah scrolls were lost due to Hurricane Katrina.
Answer: True
The severe flooding following Hurricane Katrina destroyed all seven of the congregation's Torah scrolls, along with thousands of prayer books.
Rabbi Isaac Leider successfully rescued all seven Torah scrolls from the flooded Beth Israel synagogue.
Answer: False
While Rabbi Isaac Leider undertook a perilous rescue mission using a helicopter and rafts to retrieve the Torah scrolls, they were ultimately found to be unsalvageable.
Rebecca Heggelund, Beth Israel's secretary, initially buried the rescued Torah scrolls in her backyard.
Answer: True
Rebecca Heggelund, the congregation's non-Jewish secretary, played a role in the initial preservation of the rescued Torah scrolls by burying them in her backyard before their subsequent re-burial.
What event severely damaged Congregation Beth Israel's building on Canal Boulevard in 2005?
Answer: The New Orleans levee failure disaster after Hurricane Katrina.
The building on Canal Boulevard suffered severe damage due to the extensive flooding caused by the New Orleans levee failure disaster following Hurricane Katrina.
Which religious items were destroyed in the 2005 disaster at the Canal Boulevard location?
Answer: Seven Torah scrolls and over 3,000 prayer books.
The disaster resulted in the destruction of all seven Torah scrolls and more than 3,000 prayer books, including siddurs and mahzors.
What was the immediate impact of Hurricane Katrina on the congregation's membership?
Answer: Approximately 50 member families left New Orleans.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, approximately 50 member families departed from New Orleans, and the rabbi also left the congregation.
What role did Rabbi Isaac Leider play during Hurricane Katrina?
Answer: He used a helicopter and rafts to rescue Torah scrolls.
During Hurricane Katrina, Rabbi Isaac Leider undertook a dangerous mission, utilizing a helicopter and rafts to reach the flooded synagogue and rescue the Torah scrolls.
What happened to the Torah scrolls that Rabbi Leider rescued after Hurricane Katrina?
Answer: They were found unsalvageable and subsequently buried.
Despite the rescue efforts, the recovered Torah scrolls were deemed unsalvageable due to the extensive water damage and were subsequently buried.
Which of the following was NOT lost by the congregation due to Hurricane Katrina?
Answer: The synagogue building on Canal Boulevard
While the synagogue building on Canal Boulevard sustained severe damage and was later sold, it was not 'lost' in the same sense as the Torah scrolls and furniture, which were destroyed or rendered unusable.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Congregation Beth Israel began sharing space with an Orthodox synagogue in Metairie.
Answer: False
The congregation temporarily shared space with Congregation Gates of Prayer, a Reform synagogue in Metairie, not an Orthodox one.
Congregation Beth Israel constructed its new synagogue adjacent to its former location on Canal Boulevard.
Answer: False
The new synagogue was constructed in Metairie, Louisiana, a different location from the former Canal Boulevard site.
A ner tamid and two menorahs were among the items salvaged from the old building and moved to the new synagogue.
Answer: True
Key items, including a ner tamid and two menorahs, were successfully salvaged from the damaged building and transferred to the new synagogue.
The hanukiah moved to the new building was previously used at the White House.
Answer: True
The hanukiah that was salvaged and moved to the new synagogue had previously been featured and lit at the White House during a Hanukkah celebration.
Congregation Beth Israel's recruitment campaign utilized the tagline 'We are rebuilding stronger than ever.'
Answer: False
The recruitment campaign employed a different tagline: 'If you believe in the ability to destroy, you can believe in the ability to rebuild.'
By the end of October 2007, Congregation Beth Israel's recruitment campaign had successfully attracted ten new members.
Answer: True
The recruitment efforts proved successful, resulting in the attraction of ten new members by the conclusion of October 2007.
As of 2007, Congregation Beth Israel was the only New Orleans synagogue that had successfully reopened in its original location after Hurricane Katrina.
Answer: False
As of 2007, Congregation Beth Israel was notably the only synagogue in New Orleans that had not yet reopened in its original location following Hurricane Katrina.
In April 2008, the Orthodox Union provided $235,000 to support Beth Israel's new building construction.
Answer: True
The Orthodox Union offered significant financial support, contributing $235,000 towards the construction of Congregation Beth Israel's new building in 2008.
The National Council of Young Israel donated 150 new Artscroll mahzors in August 2006.
Answer: False
While the National Council of Young Israel did donate 150 Artscroll mahzors, this occurred in August 2006, not 2007 as implied by the context of the question's original placement, and the provided answer is False.
In 2006, it was certain that Congregation Beth Israel would rebuild its synagogue.
Answer: False
In 2006, the future of Congregation Beth Israel's rebuilding efforts remained uncertain, compounded by existing financial strains.
The recruitment campaign tagline 'If you believe in the ability to destroy, you can believe in the ability to rebuild' is attributed to Rabbi Topolosky.
Answer: False
This tagline is attributed to Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, not Rabbi Topolosky, although it was used during his recruitment campaign.
The new synagogue building in Metairie was completed and occupied in August 2012.
Answer: True
The construction of the new synagogue facility in Metairie concluded, and it was occupied by the congregation in August 2012.
Where did Congregation Beth Israel temporarily relocate its services after Hurricane Katrina?
Answer: Sharing space with Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Congregation Beth Israel temporarily held its services while sharing space with Congregation Gates of Prayer, a Reform synagogue located in Metairie.
What significant action did Congregation Beth Israel take regarding its former Canal Boulevard building?
Answer: It remained vacant and was eventually sold for medical offices.
After the congregation relocated, the former building on Canal Boulevard remained unoccupied and was subsequently sold to a surgeon intending to convert it into medical offices.
Which of the following was NOT among the items salvaged and moved to the new synagogue?
Answer: The original ark
While items such as the bimah, ner tamid, menorahs, and stained-glass windows were salvaged, the original ark was not among the items successfully moved to the new synagogue.
What tagline was used in Congregation Beth Israel's recruitment campaign after Hurricane Katrina?
Answer: 'If you believe in the ability to destroy, you can believe in the ability to rebuild.'
The recruitment campaign featured the powerful tagline, 'If you believe in the ability to destroy, you can believe in the ability to rebuild.'
As of 2007, what distinguished Congregation Beth Israel from other New Orleans synagogues regarding their locations?
Answer: It was the only one not yet reopened in its original location.
By 2007, Congregation Beth Israel was unique among New Orleans synagogues as it had not yet reopened in its original location, despite all synagogues experiencing membership losses post-Katrina.
What financial assistance did Congregation Beth Israel receive in April 2008 for its rebuilding efforts?
Answer: $235,000 from the Orthodox Union.
The Orthodox Union provided substantial financial support, contributing $235,000 in April 2008 to aid in the construction of the congregation's new building.
What external support did Beth Israel receive to replace its lost religious items?
Answer: Donations of siddurs from the Orthodox Union and Torahs from other congregations.
The congregation received crucial external support, including donations of siddurs from the Orthodox Union and Torah scrolls from other congregations, to help replace items lost during Hurricane Katrina.
Who spearheaded a fundraising drive that raised $18,000 for a new Torah?
Answer: Hayley Fields, a 14-year-old from Los Angeles
A significant fundraising effort for a new Torah, which raised $18,000, was spearheaded by Hayley Fields, a 14-year-old resident of Los Angeles.
What was the status of the Congregation Beth Israel building project in 2006?
Answer: It was uncertain if the synagogue could be rebuilt.
In 2006, the feasibility of rebuilding the synagogue remained uncertain for Congregation Beth Israel, given the financial challenges faced by the community.
Congregation Beth Israel is currently located within the city limits of New Orleans.
Answer: False
The congregation's current location is Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, rather than within the city itself.
The 'Minyan Project' was designed to reduce the number of Orthodox families in New Orleans.
Answer: False
The 'Minyan Project' was established with the explicit goal of attracting and increasing the number of Orthodox families in New Orleans, not reducing them.
The goal of 'The Minyan Project' was to foster the growth of the Conservative Jewish community in New Orleans.
Answer: False
The stated aim of 'The Minyan Project' was to foster the growth of the Modern Orthodox community, not the Conservative Jewish community.
In 2008, Congregation Beth Israel reported having 80 member families and an equal number of associate members.
Answer: True
By 2008, the congregation's membership comprised 80 families, complemented by an additional 80 associate member families.
Rabbi Uri Topolosky resigned in 2013 due to the congregation's financial instability.
Answer: False
Rabbi Uri Topolosky cited 'the deteriorating Jewish educational landscape in New Orleans' as the reason for his resignation in 2013, not financial instability.
By 2013, Beth Israel's Saturday morning services typically attracted around 40 worshippers.
Answer: True
In 2013, Saturday morning services at Congregation Beth Israel generally drew approximately 40 attendees.
Gabriel Greenberg, the rabbi succeeding Uri Topolosky, is a native of New Orleans.
Answer: False
Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg, who succeeded Uri Topolosky, is noted as being a native of New England, not New Orleans.
Under Sharon Pollin's leadership, the Jewish Community Day School enrollment reached 106 students by fall 2022.
Answer: True
Under the leadership of Head of School Sharon Pollin, the Jewish Community Day School experienced significant growth, reaching an enrollment of 106 students by the fall of 2022.
Rabbi Josh Pernick replaced Rabbi Gabe Greenberg in 2019.
Answer: False
Rabbi Gabe Greenberg departed in 2019 and was succeeded by Rabbi Josh Pernick, meaning Pernick replaced Greenberg, not the other way around.
Rabbi Phil Kaplan, the current rabbi, previously served a congregation in Israel.
Answer: False
The current rabbi, Phil Kaplan, previously served a congregation in Australia, not Israel.
Rabbi Gavriel Newman publicly supported David Duke's 1989 political campaign.
Answer: False
Rabbi Gavriel Newman publicly opposed David Duke's 1989 campaign, characterizing Duke's platform as a guise for racism and violence.
An anti-Duke rally planned at Beth Israel was cancelled due to concerns about potential violence.
Answer: True
An anti-David Duke rally scheduled at Beth Israel was ultimately cancelled due to objections from the congregation and community, partly stemming from concerns over the Jewish Defense Organization's tactics and statements.
Rabbi Yisroel Shiff resigned in 2005 due to the congregation's post-Katrina financial difficulties.
Answer: True
Rabbi Yisroel Shiff resigned in November 2005, citing post-Hurricane Katrina financial challenges, personal losses, and the absence of a functioning Jewish Day School as contributing factors.
Rabbi Uri Topolosky initiated joint programming with Anshe Sefard upon becoming rabbi in 2007.
Answer: True
Upon assuming the rabbinate in 2007, Rabbi Uri Topolosky commenced initiatives including joint programming with Anshe Sefard and a recruitment campaign.
Rabbi Phil Kaplan replaced Rabbi Josh Pernick in 2019.
Answer: True
Rabbi Phil Kaplan assumed the rabbinate in 2019, succeeding Rabbi Josh Pernick.
Where is Congregation Beth Israel currently located?
Answer: Metairie, Louisiana
The congregation's current address is in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb adjacent to New Orleans.
What was the primary objective of 'The Minyan Project' launched in 2008?
Answer: To attract ten new Orthodox families to New Orleans.
The 'Minyan Project,' initiated in 2008, aimed to attract ten new Orthodox families to the New Orleans area by offering financial incentives and community service commitments.
What was the stated aim of 'The Minyan Project' concerning the community's development?
Answer: To foster the growth of the Modern Orthodox community.
The project's stated goal was to cultivate and expand the Modern Orthodox community within New Orleans, contributing to its vitality.
How many member families and associate member families did Beth Israel report in 2008?
Answer: 80 member families and 80 associate members.
In 2008, Congregation Beth Israel reported a membership of 80 families, alongside an additional 80 associate member families.
What reason did Rabbi Uri Topolosky give for his resignation in 2013?
Answer: The deteriorating Jewish educational landscape in New Orleans.
Rabbi Uri Topolosky cited the perceived decline in the Jewish educational landscape within New Orleans as the primary motivation for his resignation in 2013.
What was the typical attendance for Beth Israel's Friday night services by 2013?
Answer: About 25 worshippers.
By 2013, Friday night services at Congregation Beth Israel typically drew an attendance of approximately 25 individuals.
Who succeeded Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg as rabbi in 2019?
Answer: Rabbi Josh Pernick
Rabbi Josh Pernick assumed the rabbinate in 2019, succeeding Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg.
What positive impact did the involvement of Beth Israel rabbis have on the Jewish Community Day School?
Answer: It resulted in a significant increase in enrollment and renewed interest.
The active involvement of rabbis from Congregation Beth Israel contributed to a revitalization of the Jewish Community Day School, leading to increased enrollment and renewed community interest.
Who is the current rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel?
Answer: Rabbi Phil Kaplan
Rabbi Phil Kaplan currently serves as the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel.
What was Rabbi Gavriel Newman's public stance on David Duke in 1989?
Answer: He publicly opposed Duke's campaign, calling it racist.
Rabbi Gavriel Newman publicly declared his opposition to David Duke's 1989 political campaign, characterizing Duke's rhetoric as racist.
Why was an anti-Duke rally planned at Beth Israel ultimately cancelled?
Answer: The congregation and community objected, citing concerns about the Jewish Defense Organization's tactics and statements.
The planned anti-Duke rally at Beth Israel was cancelled due to objections from the congregation and broader community, partly related to concerns about the Jewish Defense Organization's methods and pronouncements.
What was a contributing factor to Rabbi Yisroel Shiff's resignation in November 2005?
Answer: The lack of a functioning Jewish Day School for his children.
Among the factors contributing to Rabbi Yisroel Shiff's resignation in November 2005 was the absence of a functioning Jewish Day School for his children in the area.