 In the wake of Katrina 50 families that were members of Beth Israel left New Orleans , and gave up membership in the congregation . These included Rabbi Schiff and his family . After the flood Beth Israel 's board of directors informed Schiff , who had joined they synagogue in April 2002 , that it would not be able to meet its contractual obligations and pay him past December . Schiff and his family had also lost their home and much of their possessions , and had been living in Memphis . Schiff resigned effective November 1 , 2005 , citing this loss , and the lack of a functioning Jewish Day School in the area for his children . 
