Disaster Relief & Recovery
Photo by Thomas Hawk (CC)
From aiding Indonesia after the tsunami, to gathering resources after the earthquakes in Haiti and providing support for refugees of Darfur’s conflict, many Jewish organizations work on the front lines of disaster relief. The Jewish Federation alone raised more than $28 million dollars for Hurricane Katrina relief, and in-the-field organizations like Avodah provide hands-on opportunities for young Jews to help rebuild New Orleans.
The Jewish impulse to mobilize around disaster relief efforts is derived, at least in part, from textual mandates to help other people in dire need. For example, the Torah mandates “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” In other words, Jewish tradition asserts that people are deeply interconnected to one another, and responsible for helping to alleviate each other’s suffering.
Ways to Serve Now
- Donate to a disaster recovery fund.
- Organize a food or clothing drive.
- Prepare an emergency kit for your family and a neighbor.
- Go on an alternative spring break focused on recovery and rebuilding.
- Hold a text study on disaster relief in your community.
Find more opportunities at Repair the World’s service opportunities page.
Learn More
Jewish textual sources on disaster relief, On1Foot
Disaster resource documents, ReliefWeb
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