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Chabad Emergency Relief

Rabbi Chaim on National TV

The Nationally Televised 25th Chabad Telethon
Rabbi Chaim appeared on a nationally broadcasted TV show from Los Angeles, CA this past Sunday. Rabbi Chaim was interviewed by Dennis Prager and danced the Horah with Kareen Abdul-Jabar. More at www.tolife.com Some pictures to be posted on Hurricane photo gallery.
To see a recording of the TV show
click here. For the section with Rabbi Chaim forward to 1:19:00

For photos see the Hurricane Photo Gallery

RITA: Our doors remained opened

When Chabad recognized the displaced persons issue from the hurricane Rita evacuation we launched a country wide campaign through the Chabad network that anyone who knows anyone that is on the road, let them know that there is an address to turn to among the eleven Chabad branches in Texas and over 900 throughout the country. This is a promo on that appeared throughout the country:

Our phones were ringing off the hook giving people information for Shabbat, Kosher food and things as simple as directions and guidance to buy water, flashlights etc.
 
Chabad Lubavitch Center and the Chabad House at TMC were the from the only synagogues that had a minyan throughout the weekend and on Shabbat morning. We had 15 families seeking shelter on Friday night in our Shul made of brick with no windows that is essentially a building within a building.
 
In addition the Aishel House absorbed patients and their families (2 families; five people) that had nowhere else to go as other places closed down for the weekend and they still needed to be near the hospitals.
 
Read an article here.

President's Remarks about NO Relief Effort

President Bush Singles Out Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries for Saving Lives
September 21, 2005
"He called in folks to help. He didn't say, head away from the storm; he said, let's take it right to the middle of the storm area to help people. They helped rescue stranded people... In the days after Katrina hit, Chabad saved lives." -- President Bush  (11:46)

From Our Mailbox

Shalom,

    I am living here in Baton Rouge and I would just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help that several Chabad from Houston have given us here after Katrina.  I am originally from Houston and to see many familiar faces here in Louisiana just makes my heart sing.

Thank you from me and my husband.

Bethany

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Hi Danny,

I hear from Rivka that you are doing incredible work. Yashar Koach!

Thank you,

Michal, Stamford, CT

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May Hashem bless all of you with the strength to continue your efforts for the displaced

Miriam, Northern Indiana

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Dear Daniel Gavin,

Thank you for your hospitality.  It is greatly appriciated at this time.  My family would like to meet with you when you are able.

[A New Orleans Evacuee]

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SHALOM to Daniel.

Thank you very much for taking some time and help to the others.
This is a really  big ''Mitzva''  to us, the broken souls after this disaster.

[A New Orleans Evacuee]

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The Rabbi of my shul (Rabbi Fox) and the other members of my community who visited were extremely impressed with the work you have been doing and he spoke specifically about you and your work this week in our shul and encouraged everyone to do what they could to support the work of Chabad in aiding the community of New Orleans.

Jay, Englewood, NJ

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Thank you for the inspiring update!  Tizku l'mitzvos!

Michael - NYC, NY

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Dear Danny,

I am overwhelmed by the care, kindness and love that has been shown by all of you here in Houston to the New Orleans families.

Zelig and I moved into our apartment last night. It was like a treasure hunt. As I opened cabinets and drawers and closets,all kinds of thoughtful surprises awaited us. The comfortable,brand new beds felt just like home. Linens, towels, pillows, blankets were available as needed. Toiletries, basic foods for meal preparation allowed us to sit in our completely kashered kitchen and have a simple meal together. There is an entire side room filled with food and supplies as more families arrive.

The [...] family came 7:30 last night, exhausted from their long drive. [...] was so emotional as she expressed her surprise and appreciation at how beautifully every little detail was thought of for their family.

"Mayim Rabim lo yichbu es ha'ahava..." Many waters cannot wash away the Ahavas Yisroel that Jews have shown to their broth! ers and sisters. This experience has re inspired me to be more conscious of making Ahavas Yisroel the compass that guides every decision.

As time goes on ,I would appreciate a list of your volunteers and friend who worked to create a home away from home for all of us. Meanwhile,until I get the List and the supplies to write thank you letters, please pass on this email to all concerned.

Wishing all of you a sweet,good year and may Hashem bless y'all that you should always be able to give, not to receive.

Bluma Rivkin, New Orleans, LA (Currently Houston)

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Wonderful, thanks for the update. Chabad is incredible!!

Michael, Houston, TX

Shabbaton in Baton Rouge

Our volunteer coordinator Daniel Gavin joined Mendel Traxler to spend Shabbos in Baton Rouge to supply kosher food and a Shabbos environment for the many rescue and relief workers on the ground there.

They joined the American Red Cross Spiritual Response Team and offer services for Jewish evacuees in the
Baton Rouge area, specifically for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.

As Shabbos approaches a combination of doctors, Red Cross, FEMA, and Federal Logistics personnel come together to experience Shabbos together.

They daven a beautiful Kabolas Shabbos… everyone gets involved, singing together. An amazing meal is served catered by Southern Star Kosher Food (the first normal food our guests have eaten in a while.)

Everyone talks about their breath taking experiences of the past 2 weeks, while trying to wind down and relax.

Tzvi and Adina tell us about the thousands of patients that they have seen through the triage/emergency hospital that they set up by West Jefferson.

Mimi is teaching at a temporary school set up in one of the huge shelters in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Ginzburg, himself effected by the hurricane, but nevertheless has been seeing hundreds of people and will be going to speak at a National Conference this week by the Capitol in Washington.

Everyone is so happy to be around other Jews for Shabbos, and is just thrilled to be in heimish surroundings.

They continuously keep saying "a great yasher koach to Chabad, for bringing us some Shabbos warmth", among the Hurricane Katrina chaos.

Chabad joins White House Call

    for 30 minutes at 5:30 EST.

Addressing the call was, Jeff Berkowitz, White House Liaison to the Jewish Community; Tevi Troy, Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy (and former White House Jewish Liaison); and Jim Towey, Assistant to the President for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

The call briefed the participants on the Presidents speech for this evening and what assistance FEMA will be offering through their constituents.

Updated quick list of efforts

In response to the many inquiries, here is a list for now of Chabad's efforts (that I know of)... as of this afternoon...
  • Daniel Gavin has been amazing at coordinating all of the volunteer efforts
  • 13 Housing units in process of being furnished (we still need sofas and other small items) and stocked with pantry and cleaning supplies (see picture of volunteers from CA assisting with the purchase of 10 cleaning supply starter sets http://www.chabadtexas.org/templates/photogallery/slideshow.asp?print=true&aid=307946&iid=553017)
    (3 apartments are at the Aishel House)
  • Thank you to Mike Greenberg for koshering the units
  • 10 beds donated by Star furniture with the efforts of Maura Sellers, volunteer for the Jewish Federation and Beth Israel
  • 17 beds donated with efforts of Gary Swartz president of Beth Yeshurun
  • Other furniture donation include, kitchennete tables, end and night tables, chairs, etc. with the efforts of Holly Skolkin & Aaron Bergeron.
  • 10 students (and more coming) tuition free ($71,600 of free Jewish education) in Torah Day School.
  • 7 Torahs rescued from two Chabad Houses on Thursday
  • 5 Torahs rescued from Anshei Sfard yesterday, Sunday.
  • Chabad of S. Antonio put up a carnival at Kelley Air Force Base for the evacuee families there (http://tinyurl.com/alavu).
  • Hundreds of kosher meals have been prepared and delivered by our volunteers and Chabad's Aishel House.
  • 40 fresh challot to take home was presented by Chabad at Texas Medical Center for the San Diego Jewish Academy representitives who arrived with 25 tons of goods coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Houston.
  • 1 Plane load of clothing (in very good or new condition) arrived from Denver and being sorted. Families will review clothes in privacy this week. (Interested New Orleans parties please contact Daniel Gavin; [email protected])
  • $20,000 emergency cash distributed (and counting).
  • $2,500 gifts cards to clothing stores like Gap and Old Navy (and counting).
  • 100 people in Houston were counseled in person, given a warm meal, or placed in a home temporarily
  • 45 people rescued by Search and Rescue teams
  • 2 RVs sent to support the rescue effort
  • Hundreds of families were located and connected with their loved ones
  • 300 volunteers (over 100 out of town) in database ready to assist in a myriad of ways (Sat. night we placed a rescuee in a furnished apt in West U in a matter of 30 minutes thanks to the database) Over 100 have already assisted in countless ways.
  • This does not represent efforts being done by Chabad across the country including, Dallas, Memphis, and as far out as CA, FL & NY.

New Pictures Uploaded

New Pictures Uploaded here

Notes from the front lines

Here are the text messages we received from Guy Simani who took up the two RVs to the "front lines" in New Orleans:

09/08/05 8:55 pm
From: Simani, Guy
5 jewish lives were saved today from no

09/08/05 8:50 pm
From: Simani, Guy
7 torah scrolls wer rescued! 1 will be sent to 770 and the rest r going 2 Houston

09/08/05 5:27 pm
From: Simani, Guy
frontlines5.JPG 

09/08/05 4:37 pm
From: Simani, Guy
frontlines4.JPG

09/08/05 4:38 pm
From: Simani, Guy
frontlines3.JPG 

09/08/05 2:33 pm
From: Simani, Guy
frontlines2.JPG

09/08/05 2:28 pm
From: Simani, Guy
frontlines1.JPG

09/08/05 1:48 pm
From: Simani, Guy
Ive never seen so much chessed being done in such a small time span. Im capturing as much as i can on film.

09/08/05 1:38 pm
From: Simani, Guy
We r now working w the group, finding jews and giving kosher food at shelters

Quick list of efforts acheived

Here is an update for now....

Chabad in Houston has:

  • Assisted in the initial setup of the Astrodome
  • Chabad in Houston coordinated two RVs to go to the "front lines" in New Orleans to assist our team rescuing victims there. They will be bringing back Sifrei Torah rescued from New Orleans.
  • Chabad has been working around the clock and has located countless families and connected them with their worried loved ones.
  • Chabad has already rented and assigned familes to 10 housing units. We are currently seeking furniture for them.
  • Chabad's Aishel House is providing housing and chaplaincy for patients and their families who have been evacuated from Louisiana.
  • Chabad has built a database of over 250 volunteers ready to assist in a myriad of ways, with housing, food, and clothing
  • Chabad's Torah Day School has accepted (as of now) 10 students tuition free. $71,600 of free Jewish education.
  • And this incomplete list will continue to grow...

Photo Gallery Updated

Photo Gallery Uploaded

Volunteer Thank you

Subject: Thank you for volunteering
Date: Thursday, September 01, 2005 9:58 AM

As the requests for assistance begin to pour in, someone will be calling you to match you up with those in need as the needs arise.

Thank for your support, Houston has a warm great heart and your assistance has been overwhelming!

May we share good news,

Rabbi Chaim

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