Rabbi Zalman and Nechama Tiechtel of the KU Chabad Center and their children took all the necessary precautions last week when what Rabbi Tiechtel described as a “monstrous twister” tore through the southern portion of Lawrence and stayed on the ground for 32 miles, also causing destruction in nearby Linwood, Kansas. Once the all-clear was sounded, Rabbi Tiechtel said the Tiechtels “sprang into action” and initiated contact with members of the community as well as the KU students they knew were still in town to ensure that all were safe.
At the same time, Rabbi Tiechtel said, calls began pouring in from across the country from people expressing both concern and worry, as well as a desire to help. The rabbi was able to reassure them they were OK. At that time he also began thinking how KU Chabad could best help those who were impacted by the EF4 tornado, regardless of their religion.
In the days following the tornado’s touchdown in Lawrence, groups of KU Chabad students joined together to canvass the Shank Hill neighborhood in Lawrence, which was badly damaged. As they walked house to house, they found vehicles and structures totally crushed and houses reduced to rubble.
“No words could ever be enough to describe what we saw and felt,” said Kyle Gold, a student volunteer from Overland Park. “We spent a few hours assisting a family who survived the tornado lying face down in their basement as their entire roof flew off. It was so sad to see blocks of houses destroyed.”
Rabbi Tiechtel said the KU Chabad volunteers had cleared debris and searched for items of value.
“From heartfelt personal cards to wedding pictures, baby toys and many more personal effects, it was heart-wrenching to see lives that have been just torn apart,” Rabbi Tiechtel said.
Lev Comolli, a student volunteer from Lawrence, said it was a humbling experience to see so many people work for hours and make just the smallest dent in the devastation.
“The items that we found seemed broken and worthless, but to the people who we were helping, they are the only physical pieces of home they have left,” Comolli said. “Standing amidst this heavily impacted neighborhood it is hard to believe the number of people whose lives have been impacted. I feel so blessed to have been able to give back even the littlest bit to those who have lost so much.”
The rabbi said the volunteers felt that people were uplifted by their presence and relished the opportunity to talk about what they experienced. The goal of this effort, he added, is to let the people of Lawrence know others care about them and want to help and support them so that they are not alone in the cleanup and rebuilding effort.
“The purpose of our relief efforts is to show how, in the face of so much destruction and darkness, if we gather as a community together, we can bring so much more light,” Rabbi Tiechtel said. “When we first arrived in this neighborhood we were just shell shocked from the devastation, the destruction, the stillness in the air; but we were also so moved by the love, the care and the concern of people across the country that drove in to show how much they care for another human being.”
KU Chabad has also been collecting donations from “caring people from across the country.” Some families were given gift cards to Target and Walmart so, as Rabbi Tiechtel explained, “they can get started rebuilding their lives.”
Rabbi Tiechtel believes as we all move on with our daily lives it is “important that we continue to do our part to support those in need.” The Chabad Center at KU has established a disaster relief fund where 100% of the funds raised are being directly distributed to the families impacted by this natural disaster. To make a donation, visit JewishKU.com/Donate and put “Tornado” in the comments.
KU Chabad also continues to seek volunteers to help neighbors in need continue sifting and cleaning up the debris and rebuild. To volunteer and for more information about KU Chabad’s social action activities, contact Rabbi Tiechtel at 785-832-8672 or email .