November 1st, 2005
This page is in hybernation until we have new information to share with you.

We are still accepting donations towards our Synagogue Renewal Fund. If you would like to contribute, please mail a check to:

Beth Shalom Syanagogue
C/O Renewal Fund

9111 Jefferson Hwy
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

SEPTEMBER 26TH 2005

I thought you might like an update on how things are progressing at Beth Shalom.

The power is back on. Crews have been working hard removing sheetrock and ceiling tiles from the Sanctuary and Social Hall. The chairs and carpeting have been removed from the Sanctuary and all the water on the floors has been cleaned up. There are blowers everywhere, drying out the building.

Rayner Center opened today. The backbone of the network is up and running, and the Rayner Center and the Synagogue are back online.

Shabbat Services will held at Jefferson Baptist Church this week, as well as High Holiday Services. After that, we will just have to see. The building looks 1000% better than it did just 24 hours ago.

Religious School and Hebrew School are still set to start October 9th and November 2nd, respectively although there may be some creative planning involved with classroom space.

Thank you to everyone who came up to lend a helping hand both yesterday and today. I feel confidant that we will be back in our shul faster than I ever thought possible.

It may be a while before it takes its final form, but it can only get better from here.


HURRICANE RITA HITS OUR SHUL

As you may have heard, our building has suffered a great deal of water damage from Hurricane Rita. While our roof and outer walls are intact, a great deal of water has gotten into the building, soaking the sanctuary and social hall. There is water in various other rooms as well. The Rayner Center end of the building is virtually untouched.

All of our precious ritual objects, torahs and siddurim have be rescued and moved to a safe location. Our computers and important office documents have also been removed from the building and are in safe keeping.

All services, meetings and other events planned at the Synagogue are canceled until further notice. Rabbi Zamek is hard at work coming up with alternate locations for Shabbat Services next week as well as High Holiday Services.

The best source for information will be the website or our email list. Please check these regularly, if you can. If you are able to check your email and let others you know who may not have internet access or power what is going on, it would be most appreciated.

We will come out of this even stronger than before if we continue to act as we always do -- as a strong and committed community.


AFTER THE HURRICANE

Thank you so much to all those people who called and emailed to express their concern for the Beth Shalom family. A few of us suffered damage to our homes and many lost their power, but we are fine.

Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters from the Jewish community of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. If you will be staying in Baton Rouge temporarily, please contact the synagogue so we can help. We are building a database so that we can keep in touch with you. Please call or email our administrator with all your information. Make sure you give us your cell phone number and email address.

We know that we cannot replace your home congregation, but please know that you have a shul in Baton Rouge.

All Blessings Rabbi Stanton M. Zamek