After Hurricane Sandy, a storm of unprecedented magnitude, struck the eastern portion of the United States, the Jewish community and the Jewish Federation movement quickly took action to help with recovery and rebuilding on the East Coast.
Jewish Federation has established the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund to help with these efforts. One hundred percent of all donations to this fund will go directly to support disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“We send our support and prayers to those affected by the hurricane, and we will stand beside them during the recovery and rebuilding through the generous emergency donations that are pouring in from many in Kansas City,” said Todd Stettner, Jewish Federation vice president and CEO.
Once the storm hit, after much prep work was done by Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), JFNA began communicating with affected Jewish Federations to assess damage and communal needs, and working with emergency response personnel from across the region. JFNA also began working with Jewish Federations across the United States — including Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City — to provide aid to contribute to recovery and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
In conjunction with JFNA, Jewish Federations in the affected areas are working overtime with partner agencies and synagogues to help wherever possible. In the New York City area, the UJA/Jewish Federation of NY reports stories of dedication, including the Bronx Jewish Community Council’s Home Attendant Services homecare workers, who spent the night at its facility to ensure service to those in need on Monday, Oct. 29. At the same time, another partner agency, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation welcomed 19 new clients from an evacuated nursing home.
“What happened with UJA/Jewish Federation of New York reminds us how Jewish Federation remains the go-to Jewish organization during times of crisis. In New York City, thanks to support from Jewish Federation, the myriad Jewish services operated even though their headquarters were waterlogged or without power. These are simply more examples of why support from people like us, here in the middle of the country, is so vital to our network.”
To donate online go to jewishkansascity.org, and click on the Hurricane Sandy link under the Latest News section. To donate via phone contact Gail Weinberg, director of financial resource development, at 913-327-8123. To donate via mail mail a check to Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W. 115 Street, Suite 201, Overland Park, KS 66211, Attn: Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. One hundred percent of donations to this fund will go directly to helping victims and emergency responders.
As part of its mission to sustain and enhance Jewish life at home and around the world, JFNA and Jewish Federations are committed to care for victims of global natural disasters, and have emergency relief plans in place to aid those in immediate need. Through the network of 157 Jewish Federations across North America, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and Jewish Federation of St. Louis raised more than $250,000 to help Joplin tornado victims rebuild their lives.