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In the next few days, we expect that Hurricane Florence will cause tremendous damage along the southeast US coast and directly affect many in our community. USCJ has been in communication with the 14 congregations in the path of the storm - just two have been advised to evacuate but we anticipate great need in the coming days and weeks.
We are therefore asking our community, in addition to giving to organizations that directly support hurricane relief (such as NECHAMA and the local federations), to consider giving to USCJ's Disaster Relief Fund.
Donations to USCJ's Disaster Relief Fund will assist our kehillot directly to support their members in their time of need and provide the critical infrastructure relief not supported by other means. This is what our network provides; Conservative kehillot helping Conservative kehillot.
This past year, thanks to the generosity of our community, we provided over $100,000 to help:
- Support the reconstruction of a computer laboratory at Congregation Shaare Zedeck at the Jewish Community Center of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria swept through the island
- Pay for the transportation of pews from Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX for Congregation Beth Yeshurun after Hurricane Harvey demolished their sanctuary
- Provide kosher Shabbat dinners and the purchase of Jewish ritual items for families of Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa, CA after forest fires ravaged their community
As Hurricane Florence nears landfall, we send our prayers to those congregations in its path and pledge to do whatever we can to help. Please join us.
