New Orleans Chesed Trip 2019/5779: Day 4

We began our fourth and last day in New Orleans at Green Light New Orleans, an environmentally friendly non-profit organization, that began updating the light bulbs in the city to more efficient, energy saving bulbs. Once they completed that project, they started a project to try to save the city from flooding. We painted water barrels that release water slowly so the ground can absorb it in a way that it won’t flood. We painted barrels so that it’s a pretty fixture that people would want to display in their yards. We also cleaned up a local vegetable garden to help people access fresh produce.

After Green Light, we went to the Giving Hope Food Pantry. People come once a month to fill their houses with food. We helped unload the truck and organize the produce. We then handed out food to all the people that needed. We were able to meet them and greet them with smiles, hopefully making their day a little better. 

Afterwards, we went to Waffle on Maple and enjoyed a great final meal together. The New Orleans Chesed Trip was an amazing experience filled with Chesed and Fun! 

~Betty Greenberg, Class of 2019

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2019/5779: Day 3

On the third day of the New Orleans Chesed Trip, the students helped Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds affordable houses for low income families. With the help of volunteers, the organization is able to sell the house at the lowest price available. We started out the day with cleaning up the area around the houses and split into groups to complete the houses. We put up siding, insulated panels, Tyvek, and more. It was a grueling day of work, but very rewarding when we saw how much we accomplished.

After a long day building, we returned to the hotel to get ready for the New Orleans Pelicans VS. the Golden State Warriors basketball game. Agtsr dinner we headed to Smoothie King Stadium (next to the Superdome). We even met another Jewish group from Los Angles and we shared some stories with them. Yeshivah of Flatbush got a shout out on the big screen and some of us were featured on the big screen as well. After a long day, we were able to have bonding time with our friends in the lobby. ~Chen Menashe, Class of 2019

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2019/5779: Day 2

On our second day in New Orleans we began our chesed activities by partnering with the NOLA Tree Project at the KIPP: Leadership Elementary School. There, we were split into different groups to help out in different areas of the school.

Some of us decorated bulletin boards, hung up school decorations, separated answer sheets for state exams, diagnosed computer problems, organized the library, and more. We also had the opportunity to learn about the amazing work of NOLA Tree Project in restoring the beauty of New Orleans.

We then traveled to southern Louisiana where we enjoyed a thrilling airboat tour. We saw alligators up close and even were able to hold some! The experience was exhilarating.

The next stop was a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward and Jewish cemetery. We saw the destruction of Hurricane Katrina - even fourteen years later. We saw the houses that were rebuilt as well as those that have yet to be restored. We stood next to the levees that played a huge role in the destruction. We then visited the Jewish cemetery where the community members buried Sifrei Kodesh and Sifrei Torah that were damaged during the hurricane. It was touching to see how the community cared for these holy works like fellow fallen community members, burying them next to their loved ones.

After dinner, we went to the French Quarter and waited in anticipation for the famous Jazz Concert at Preservation Hall. Once inside, we realized our wait was well worth it. The  musicians gave it their all and everyone in the room was tapping and swaying to the sounds of their instruments and voices. It was a great end to a very long day. 

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2019/5779: Day 1

This morning a group of 24 seniors headed to JFK at 6am to board a flight to New Orleans, Louisiana for the New Orleans Chesed Trip in partnership with NSCY. Upon their arrival they went straight to the world famous Cafe du Monde and enjoyed their signature beignets. The students enjoyed the glorious weather and ate lunch outside.

Next they visited the French Quarter Market and were able to buy many items of memorabilia pertaining to New Orleans. There were so many interesting things and oddities that were unique to New Orleans. We then walk along the Riverwalk where we enjoyed the cooling breeze of the Gulf. All the walking led to the National World War II Museum where we watched an interactive 4D film experience about The Total War that went Beyond All Boarders.

For dinner the students enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Casablanca, and afterwards went to Rock N Bowl for bowling and a live performance of dancing and an orchestra. Students then went to Walmart to stock up on food for the coming days. This was the end to the first wonderful day in New Orleans.

~Katriella Weingarten, Class of 2019

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2018/5778: Day 4

We started off our bonus day of the NOLA Chesed trip at around 10:30am after getting to sleep in late. We took advantage of the warm weather and took a walk to Cafe Du Monde where we enjoyed beignets- part two! We then continued to Target where we got Starbucks and clean clothes. Later, we headed to an airboat for a swamp tour were we took lots of pictures and even got to hold a baby alligator. We had the opportunity to see the Louisiana marshland up close. We saw many alligators and enjoyed the scenic tour on the water. 

We then took a stop at Lafreniere Park were we used the great lighting to take more pictures- Mr. Galpert needed for the Instagram! We played frisbee, walked around and watched the ducks in the river. We then went back to Casablanca for dinner and headed back to the hotel. We hope to be on our way back to New York tomorrow morning after an amazing and meaningful trip. It truly was “quacktastic!” ~Kelly Esses, Class of 2018

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2018/5778: Day 3

This morning in New Orleans, we started off by getting coffee on the way to Habitat for Humanity- round 2 so that we were energized for the work ahead. We worked on finishing the foundation and started laying the floor boards of the house we worked on yesterday. We even enjoyed a dance party on site with bagels (Mr. Galpert still has btw). 

We then went for a late lunch to Waffles On Maple and enjoyed epic waffles, pizzas, and salads. 

While our next planned stop was the airport to return to New York, we instead made our way to the historic French Quarter of New Orleans and explored the market, Jackson Square Park, and the River Walk. We ended our tour with a horse and buggy ride through the historic streets. From there we made our way to the Lakeview Mall to purchase clothing and food for the rest of our stay. We hope to see you soon... ~Louise Anteby and Clemy Jajati, Class of 2018

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2018/5778: Day 2

Today we woke up early in the morning to get ready for another great day of Chesed in New Orleans. We volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to help build a house. Habitat for Humanity partners with future and current homeowners to build simple, decent, and affordable housing for low to very low-income families. Volunteers and future homeowners work together in the building process. 

We installed termite shields, carried countless blocks of wood, hit wood with a sledgehammer, and nailed wood beams together. We were volunteering until 4:30 PM, which gave every student an opportunity to help out. We then proceeded to the hotel to get ready for our events at night. We had dinner at Kosher Cajun, where we were stuffed with amazing food. 

We then went to a New Orleans Pelicans basketball game in which we got free bobble heads, took pictures on the court, and even made it on the big screen! The Pelicans won, which was also a plus. We then ended off the night with carpool karaoke playing all of our favorite songs on the ride back. We are ecstatic for what tomorrow holds. ~Mikey Darwish, Class of 2018

New Orleans Chesed Trip 2018/5778: Day 1

On Monday, thirteen seniors along with Mr. Galpert and Ms. Dweck embarked on the first ever Chesed Trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. The first day of the trip started off great! After a Delta flight full of turbulence and backgammon, we landed safely at MSY.

First we met with Rabbi Ethan “Earl” Katz, who took us for kosher beignets at Café du Monde. The soft fried dough and powdered sugar topping welcomed us warmly to the South.

After a stop off at the hotel, we were on our way to Project Green Light. Green Light New Orleans invests energy in people by assisting New Orleans residents in person, one household at a time by installing free energy efficient light bulbs in people's homes. We went to woman's house and changed all of her lightbulbs from incandescent bulbs to eco-friendly bulbs, saving her over $1000 annually.

Next we took a tour of the parts of the city hurt most by Hurricane Katrina, including the Lower 9th Ward and the Jewish Cemetery. We were moved by the burial places assigned to the Torah scrolls and other holy books that were destroyed by the flood waters.

For dinner we were surprised to find Kibbeh and meat cigars at Casablanca restaurant.

For the last scheduled event, we watched a traditional jazz concert at Preservation Hall in the French Quarter. The music was great and the lively spirit was even better. We wrapped up the night with an eventful trip to Walmart. Can’t wait for day two!