Update on Relief Efforts
from
Rabbi Yehiel M. Kalish
National Director of Government Affairs
Agudath Israel of America
*****
Dear Rabbonim, Members of the Board of Trustees and Nationwide Contacts,
It is now 5:22am and I can't sleep. Last night working together with a team at Achiezer we heard just the most terrible stories, let me share a few very real emails with you:
"I need a place for a family with 6 kids desperately for 2/3 weeks." This family has no home left. It's gone.
"Thanks for the info. Unfortunately Judy's apartment was totally wiped out. Then her insurance claim was denied because renter's insurance doesn't cover flooding.
I don't know how insurance companies get away with that."
"My grandmother is lost. FEMA came to visit her, dropped off paperwork and left. What does she do now, her home was completely destroyed and she doesn't want to leave."
"If anyone has any way to contact folks in Far Rockaway, please contact me. We're trying to find my brother's in-laws. Nobody has been able to reach them since the storm hit." This was sent Friday; we found them cold, scared and unable to communicate with the outside world.
"1)My wife's Shaitel Parnassa was totally destroyed. 2)I have complete /extensive damage in my basement which also reached my 1st floor. 3)Lost a good percentage of my families Sha-bbos / summer clothing 4) lost 7 complete bookcases of my seforim. I was told that my policy does not insure most of the damage.
whatever the Rosh Hayeshiva can do will obviously be greatly appreciated.
Thank you."
"The number of "lives saved" today by Achiezer is unbelievable !!!! Yasher koach" This was sent the night of the storm.
So here is where we are with an update written by Boruch Ber Bender, Founder/President of Achiezer this morning, a few hours ago.
Food:
Due to the overwhelming requests received, we have now setup 2 food distribution centers for today.
For the Far Rockaway/Lawrence area there will be fresh meals at Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv, 1 Cedar Lawn Avenue.
There will also now be a Cedarhurst/Woodmere/Hewlett location at the Young Israel of Woodmere, 859 Peninsula Blvd.
Lunch and dinner will be served at both locations, with the meals starting at 12:30 PM. We will have staff on hand at both locations who will be able to answer any questions you may have with regards to any services that are needed. If anyone has any questions regarding our new Five Towns Storm location please call Meir Krengle at
(917) 873-1643 Or Michael Krengle at (516) 554-3118
Shaimos:
There will be a shaimos truck parked at Shor Yoshuv from 12-3 PM today. Any shaimos may be dropped off there free of charge. Additionally we have arranged a shaimos drop off point for the Cedarhurst/Woodmere/Hewlett area also at the Young Israel of Woodmere. There will be a designated spot at the shul for the drop off, and the materials will be picked up by our truck.
Clothing:
Dozens and dozens of brand new racks of clothing are now available to anyone across the community. They will be distributed with no questions asked, in a dignified manner. We are asking any volunteers that are able to assist with the setup of clothing to please report to Shor Yoshuv today at 10 AM. From 12-3 PM the clothing will be available to anyone who needs.
Laundry:
We have received many requests regarding the inability to wash fresh laundry due to the lack of electric.
Through the dedicated work of several individuals we have been able to work out a special service for members of Far Rockaway/ Bayswater, and the Five Towns.
There will be 3 drop off points today, and the laundry should be there by 1 PM. Each family may drop off 2 full bags of laundry (please close bags well) and we will have it returned within 24-36 hours.
Bayswater dropoff-Young Israel of Bayswater, 2716 Healy Avenue.
Far Rockaway/Lawrence drop off-Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv, 1 Cedar Lawn Avenue.
Cedarhurst/Woodmere/Hewlett dropoff-Young Israel of Woodmere, 859 Peninsula Blvd.
Special Relief Fund:
As many people know our community has launched an emergency relief fund for those who have been affected financially by Hurricane Sandy. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to members of our community who have been hurt. If anyone requires assistance or information about this fund, you may call our hotline, or email us at hurricanefund@achiezer.org
Cleaning/Pumping:
We will have several crews available today to help clean, shlep, and pump out water-filled basements. If you require such a service you may call our office hotline, or 347-752-1400.
You may also email alongoldberger@gmail.com .
If you are able to volunteer for any of these services we ask you to contact these numbers as well.
Shelter:
Numerous people from our community were graciously hosted over the weekend by members of our community, Queens, and Brooklyn.
If you are still in need of shelter/temporary place to stay please call our office, or email us at shelter@achiezer.org
and arrangements will be made.
FEMA:
We understand that there are an endless amount of questions and confusion regarding FEMA claims, insurance filings, and legal questions.
We are in the midst of creating a community task force that will exclusively deal with all of these issues. We are working to gather and make available as much information as possible, and hope to have this vital service available to the community by the beginning of the week.
Electric:
LIPA representatives have told us that the restoration is fully underway. We know that this information doesn't help for the many of you that are still in the dark, especially with the conflicting timetables constantly being heard. We will work extremely hard to forward as much concrete information that we can possibly find out. We strongly feel that as long as you are able to make living arrangements in areas that have electricity, it is safer for you to continue to do so until power is restored.
My dear friend reading this email, so you understand fully, THERE IS NO ELECTRIC in many areas. This has been the case since the storm hit last Monday. People have not had power to be able to clean up and now there is another storm threatening to bring a foot of snow this coming Wednesday.
To date the communities outside of New York have raised close to $100,000 in appeals. We need more. We need a lot more. We have raised over $1.2M here locally but we really need a lot more money to help people who are very, very desperate. The current state leaders are Maryland with $7000+ and Ohio who had a fund raiser last night that raised $25,000 plus online donations of $1200 and then Illinois with $5000. Please work with your community to raise necessary funds and send them to us.
If you will be having a communal meeting or live appeal Rabbi Yaakov Reisman, Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rabbi H. Billet or other community Rabbonim will be happy to speak on the phone with any group or group leader and explain clearly the detailed need here in New York at this time and encourage them to give to this fund.
And if you want your donation/your shul donation to go to Sea Gate or the other areas outside of Bayswater/Far Rockaway/Five Towns, just let me know as we are all working together.
Checks can be made payable to either Achiezer, Davis Memorial Fund or The Five Towns Community Relief Fund. Each fund is working together and the distribution committee will be chaired by Elisha Brecher, Esq. a noted and respected askan with years of experience in these matters.
We are also in need of generators and RV's. If you know of anyone who can help with either, please let me know ASAP. This need is urgent, lives are at stake.
My cell number is 646-408-1013 if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Rabbi Yehiel M. Kalish
National Director of Government Affairs
Agudath Israel of America
Shalom and Best Regards,
RRW
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