Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on March 17, 2015

L'Chayim! And with that salute to life, Touro Synagogue became the celebratory location in late January for the annual L'Chayim Award.

The roots of the synagogue go back 1828; it was named after businessman and philanthropist Judah Touro, whose contributions weren't only limited to New Orleans, but spread throughout the U.S., as well.

It is in this giving spirit that the L'Chayim Award was bestowed on Susan and Lou Good. Both have been longtime contributors to the Jewish community: Susan was a 2014 annual campaign co-chair and Lou is currently the board vice-president of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans; and Lou was a past president of the synagogue and is on the governing board of Touro Infirmary, to name a few of the organizations the duo has or are currently involved with.

A cocktail hour, with classic jazz performed by pianist Igor Cherny, preceded the main event, which kicked off with a blessing by Cantor David Mintz (who moved to New Orleansin July with his wife, Deborah). Synagogue president Scott Silbert welcomed attendees, who were also charmed by Jack Alltmont, the night's emcee, who deftly guided the lively tributes, including a video made by son-in-law, WVUE anchor, Lee Zurik,who did a faux "investigative" report video about the Goods. Rommel's Catering provided the night's kosher cuisine.

More than 200 attended the gala including, a number of Good relatives such as Lou's motherCarol Good, and children with spouses, Caroline and Jeff Good, and Jenny and Lee Zurik, as well as event co-chairs Phyllis and Jack Alltmont, Ana and Dr. Juan Gershanik, Carmen and Andy Jacobs, Laurie and Ricky Rosenberg, Kathy and Hal Shepard, Julie and Scott Silbert, Ellen and Marc Yellin, and Renee Zack. More in the audience included Diane and Alan Franco, Jill and Dave Israel, Dotty Jacobs, Betty Kohn, Ruth and Larry Kullman, Sherrie and Alan Leventhal, Laura and Walter Levy, and the synagogue's Rabbi Alexis Berk and Bob Berk, and Rabbi emeritus David Goldstein and Shannie Goldstein.

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To reach Sue Strachan, send an email to socialscene@nola.com or call 504.450.5904. Find her on Twitter and Instagram as @suestrachan504, with the hashtag #nolasocialscene. Visit her on Facebook. And, come back to NOLA.com/society for more New Orleans area event and party news and photos.

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Toasts abound at Touro Synagogue's L'Chayim Award ceremony for Susan and Lou Good

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