HURRICANE KATRINA EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS

Both Agudath Israel and the OU have established EMERGENCY RELIEF CAMPAIGN to provide assistance to those whose lives have been uprooted by this terrible tragedy. Read More
Information from the OU is available an their site

Responding to the incredible devastation from Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas, Agudath Israel of America has launched an EMERGENCY RELIEF CAMPAIGN to provide assistance to those whose lives have been uprooted by this terrible tragedy.

According to Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, “our offices have been inundated with calls by concerned Yidden who are anxious to lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters who have lost all of their material possessions over the past few days. After speaking with our contacts in Louisiana, Tennessee Georgia and Florida, and learning first-hand the extent of the widespread destruction and devastation, we have decided to undertake this Emergency effort to provide funds for housing, food, clothing and other emergency needs for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.”

As is known by now, virtually the entire Jewish community in New Orleans has been evacuated, with many taking up temporary refuge in Memphis and other nearby cities. In addition to the emergency day-to-day needs, there are also many children who will need to be registered in new yeshivos and day schools in the communities to which their families have been evacuated. According to Rabbi Labish Becker, Agudath Israel’s Associate Executive Director, “there is no greater mitzvah at this time than offering a life-support system to enable those suffering from this terrible flood so that they can begin to reconstruct their lives, and hopefully return to their homes and communities as soon as conditions allow.”

Agudath Israel has in recent years launched similar campaigns following the 9/11 attacks, and for victims of terror in Eretz Yisroel, and the funds raised by these campaigns have gone a long way to helping those whose lives have been shattered to at least have some economic relief as they cope with the reality of their situations. “Now also, we hope that acheinu Bnei Yisroel will once again open their hearts and extend themselves as much as possible so that we can provide tangible assistance to those who are now coping with a myriad of problems, not the least of which are financial,” added Rabbi Gertzulin.

The Agudah leaders urge everyone to send contributions immediately to Hurricane Victims Emergency Relief Fund, Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway – 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, so that the funds can be promptly forwarded to the victims.