Months after hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Beth Israel synagogue still lay in ruins. It was the hardest hit of the citys eight synagogues, submerged under 10 feet of water for several weeks. Jews have a long history in the city of New Orleans. Several prominent Jews settled in the city in the Œfirst half of the 19th century, including Judah Benjamin, who later became U.S. Secretary of State. The fiŒrst synagogue was founded in 1828. (Beth Israel was established in 1903.) Jews were generally well integrated into the life of the city and, historically, relations with the non-Jewish community have been good.
Many of New Orleans Jews left when the hurricane hit. Although most have returned, some have stayed away and started new lives elsewhere.
Sample Texts:
A person is obligated to bless God for the evil that befalls him just as he blesses Him for the good.  Mishnah, Berachot 9:5
Everyone must have two pockets, so that he can reach into the one or the other, according to his needs. In his right pocket are to be the words: For my sake was the world created, and in his left: I am but dust and ashes.  Rabbi Simcha Bunam, Hasidic rebbe
Your throne stands Œfirm from of old;
From eternity You have existed.
The ocean sounds, O Lord,
The ocean sounds its thunder,
The ocean sounds its pounding.
Above the thunder of the mighty waters,
More majestic than the breakers of the sea
Is the Lord, majestic on high.
 Psalms (Tehilim) 93:2-4