New Shluchim to New Orleans

Rabbi Yossi and Rivkie Chesney (nee Shuchat), together with their baby, Menachem, have recently moved from Brooklyn, NY to New Orleans, Louisiana where they will serve as Shluchim.

Rabbi Yossi and Rivkie will be directing the Chabad Torah Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The new Shluchim have been appointed by Rabbi and Mrs. Zelig Rivkin, the head Shluchim to Louisiana.

New Orleans has the highest percentage of students attending private schools of any metro area in the country. There are countless Jewish children who are attending private schools, with a large percentage of those children attending Catholic and Christian schools. With over 10,000 Jews in the city, having a well-established Jewish day school is crucial.

Before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, in August, 2005, Torah Academy had 65 students enrolled. The Hurricane devastated the city and with it, the building which housed the school. Torah Academy as an entity stood strong and was housed in a temporary facility for a period of about 7 years while a new school building was being built. In July 2014, with the construction complete, they moved into the building with 24 students.

In the time since, the school’s enrollment has grown to over 50 students, and it was necessary to bring in a couple to dedicate themselves completely to the school.

Yossi and Rivkie have moved there with the goals of increasing enrollment, and fundraising for the school. Since their move, three new families have joined the school and four new donors have come on board.

A Chinese Auction has been organized by Yossi and Rivkie, to be held on May 18, 2016 to help fund the school and give more children in New Orleans the opportunity to attend a Jewish school through offering scholarships to students who cannot afford it.

Two business class tickets to Europe, a Disney vacation for four, a Sony Cyber Shot Camera, and a Valco Stroller are some of the prizes in the Chinese auction. Tickets for the auction are available for purchase online at torahauction.com.

Early bird discount packages for raffle tickets are available until May 11, 2016.
Torah Academy and the Shluchim to Louisiana appreciate your support of their vital work!