Episode 89 Barbara Joseph - "Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home"

Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home

Executive Director of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation, Barbara Joseph, sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, to answer the following questions:

0:28 1. Barbara, you’re the Executive Director of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation. I want to get into the Federation and all that they do locally. But before we do, I’d like to start here today.

We’ve talked quite a bit on this podcast about how to do better creating and accepting a multi-ethnic Shreveport.

Let’s talk about being Jewish in Shreveport-Bossier. Approximately, how many Jewish families do we have locally?

2:46 2. How many synagogues do we have, where are they located and when do they meet for services or religious school?

6:28 3. The North Louisiana Jewish Federation protects and enhances the well-being of Jews and Jewish communities in North Louisiana, the United States, Israel and around the world, striving to realize its core values of:

Ḥesed (caring and compassion),

Torah (Jewish learning),

Tikun Olam (repair of the world), and

Tz’dakah (social justice)

On October 7, 2023, Israel suffered the deadliest attack on its country since the country was established in 1948. Tell me about the current status of Israel and for people listening today, what should they understand and how can they help?

14:28 4. We’ve been hearing a lot in recent weeks/months about antisemitism on college campuses. Can you help us better understand what is happening across the country and why some universities are allowing this type of sentiment and these types of demonstrations?

23:50 5. Lastly, as you know I am on the Advisory Board for the LSUS Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (or INAR as it is commonly known). You were recently one of 15 nonprofit leaders selected to participate in an important INAR initiative, its first capacity building cohort.

INAR strives to elevate the future of the nonprofit sector through transformative education, impactful research, and professional development.

Tell me about your experience in the cohort and why it was an important initiative for you to be a part of.