One Man Who Made A Difference
Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005
Times Picayune	09-2-1998


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In an era when it often seems more fashionable to point out differences between people
and to assess blame on the culture or the economy, we often come to believe that one
person cannot make a difference. But those of us who knew Joe Cahn know that this is
not true. Mr. Cahn died last weekend at the age of 90, having lived a life far richer
than most of us will ever know. He was not a flashy man nor someone known for his
political conquests. Rather, he made his impact on people, one person at a time.

A respected leader in the Jewish community, he could have been satisfied with his
accomplishments in the world service organization of Bnai Brith. The father of three
children, including Joe Cahn, New Orleans favorite food guru, he could have resisted
the calling of a wider community and concentrated his efforts on his own family and
activities. But he recognized and embraced the fact that all people, no matter their
religion or race, were important and deserved the same respect, assistance and
friendship from him.

Before our government ever spent millions of dollars on fancy studies to improve race
relations, Mr. Joe had already perfected the technique of reaching out to all people by
treating everyone as equals and offering his hand in friendship. He heard the voices of
a family working to build their family restaurant business and called banks to help
them secure the funds they needed.

He worked side by side with all the neighbors in Palm Air to keep their area clean,
safe and friendly. He taught countless youth, by example, that working together, black
with white, Jew with Christian, the world could be a better place, one person at a
time.

At his funeral, the black and Jewish communities came together to mourn this great
leader. Together, they grieved for the one who understood, advocated and brought
together these very diverse groups.

A close friend of his commented that Mr. Joe could not drive a car because he was
colorblind and that he was also colorblind in his relationships with people. On the day
of his funeral, black neighbor and white neighbor cried and mourned because all knew
that only once in a lifetime does a man such as L. Joseph Cahn come along. It was a
privilege to be his friend.