For this year’s Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Campaign Celebration, the group turned to Academy Award-winning actor and activist Richard Dreyfuss to be their guest speaker at the March 7 event. Dreyfuss spoke about of the importance of teaching civics to America’s youth, as well as encouraging his audience to appreciate their Constitutional rights.
More than 400 guests attended this event that was a “thank you” to everyone who contributed to the Jewish Federation’s 2007 annual campaign. The chairs for the campaign were Vivian Cahn and Dr. Michael Wasserman, and the honorary chairs for the party were Gerald Berenson, Joan Berenson, Sara Stone and Byrde Haspel.
In addition to Dreyfuss’ appearance, another gala highlight were those who were honored for their work in the community. Allan Bissinger received the second annual Roger Bissinger Memorial Award for outstanding community leadership, and
Carol Smokler, the chair of the United Jewish Communities’ Emergency Committee, received a Tzedakah box in recognition of the unfailing assistance and support of the New Orleans Jewish Community and other Gulf Coast communities in the wake of
the 2005 hurricanes.
Richard Dreyfuss with Barbara and Arthur Sterbcow
Jewish Federation executive director Michael Weil and Dr. Brenda Brasher
Richard and Vivian Cahn
Dr. Michael and Lynne Wasserman
Nancy, Allan, Brook and Marjorie Bissinger
Sara Stone, Joan and Dr. Gerald Berenson, and Byrde Haspel
