A New Orleans synagogue destroyed by Hurricane Katrina is rebuilding.

Congregation Beth Israel, a century-old congregation, just broke ground at a location five miles from its former home.

Beth Israel’s old building absorbed 10 feet of water during the 2005 hurricane. Thousands of prayerbooks and seven Torah scrolls were lost.

The land for the new synagogue was purchased from a nearby Reform congregation, Gates of Prayer. — jta

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