Theodore Lichtenfeld
Rabbi Theodore M. Lichtenfeld was born in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up, he was confirmed at Temple Sinai, attended Hebrew School, and was an active member of the United Synagogue Youth. Lichtenfeld graduated from Gratz College Hebrew High School, attended a joint program with the Jewish Theological Seminary at Columbia University, continued to rabbinical school, and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2001. He came to New Orleans in 2005 when he was hired as the rabbi for Shir Chadash Congregation in Metairie.
Rabbi Theodore M. Lichtenfeld describes his family life, early childhood, and educational opportunities. After being ordained as a rabbi, Ted came to New Orleans with his pregnant wife and child in August of 2005. Before Hurricane Katrina, Ted and his family evacuated first to Atlanta and then to New Jersey. He recalls feeling isolated and helpless being separated from his congregation at Shir Chadash. So he and the executive director, Mike Kancher, created a listserv for congregation members to stay in touch in the wake of the storm. Ted shares stories from after the storm. Many of the synagogue members experienced personal tragedies. Ted went on TV in Atlanta with Congressman John Lewis and Rabbi Sandler to discuss the Memorial hospital situation. In November, Ted's wife delivered their second child in her childhood home in New Jersey. Ted details the recovery work required after Katrina. Both his home and synagogue were flooded. Finally, Ted shares his optimism for the future of Shir Chadash and the New Orleans community.
