When I was a child, going to chedar in a Conservative congregation, I was taught that the ark (where the torah is stored) is to be on the wall of the sanctuary facing Jerusalem. And, of course, we prayed in that direction. As I got older, I noticed that the arc was in various different walls, especially in the newer buildings, and in the Reform and Reconstructionist congregations. However, Orthodox and Conservative sanctuaries traditionally have their ark in the East or West wall. (Either way, it faces Jerusalem.)

Yes, I still recall my Reform Rabbi pointing out that the ark was on the correct wall in the main Sanctuary, but on the wrong wall in the chapel that we used on most Shabbats. I would imagine that the folks from the late 1800's were more cognizant of traditions.

You can still buy wall hangings for home prayer that will get you pointing in the right direction. Although, from new orleans I would imagine that it's more southeast than just east.

I got so many emails saying that I must be crazy, and that no way was our temple facing north that I went back and confirmed it. Temple Sinai in DC faces due north, for reasons that no one seems to understand, except that it was built during the high reform period when throwing off all tradition was in vogue. I guess it has left me scarred for life.

I was always taught that the ark should be situated so that when you pray, you face Jerusalem. Isn't that why American left-handed Rabbis are called "southpaws"?

Our sanctuary now is a semi-circle, so people are facing all sorts of directions, and they dont seem to adjust their directionalilty while praying. I do note that the Rabbi will turn and face the ark (so he's facing East) for the Amidah and the "va'anachnu korim" portion of Aleynu.