Hurricane Harvey – tzedakah in support

By Rabbi Yael Splansky.

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm.  (Isaiah 25:4)

The images from Houston are beyond belief.  America’s fourth largest city is utterly devastated.

Emergency funds are still required for immediate rescue and urgent care.  Please consider lending your support through Toronto’s newly established UJA Relief Fund.  https://jewishtoronto.com/hurricane-harvey-relief

See here for an update from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to learn about how our Reform Movement is responding.  Greene Family Camp, our Reform summer camp in Texas has been prepared to serve as an evacuation centre.  You may wish to send tzedakah in support of that critical effort. http://urj.org/blog/2017/08/26/urj-update-hurricane-harvey-relief-efforts

It will take years for the city to recover.  Soon after the waters subside families will need help getting back on their feet.  The Hebrew Free Loan Society of Houston is already anticipating the loans required for small businesses and family simchas, not to mention for repairs for homes and synagogues.  If you are moved to give in this way, you can follow this link.  http://www.hfla.net/site/home.html

The Psalmist prayed for calm and safety:

God reduced the storm to a whisper; the waves were stilled. (Psalm 107:29)

May it come speedily and may our generosity of spirit soften the blow and ease the burden of those whose possessions have washed away.