WASHINGTON – Jewish groups are launching hurricane relief funds to channel
donations to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The storm tore through
the eastern United States Monday, causing at least 30 deaths in North America,
necessitating the evacuation of more than one million people and causing
billions of dollars in damage to property and industry.
The main umbrella
organization for American Jewish communities opened up the Jewish Federations of
North America Hurricane Relief fund Tuesday to raise money for recovery and
reconstruction efforts.
“The Jewish community and the Federation movement
send our support and prayers to those affected by the hurricane, and we will
stand beside them during the recovery and rebuilding,” JFNA President and CEO
Jerry Silverman said in a statement announcing the new fund.
The group
represents 155 Jewish federations across the United States and
Canada.
The Union of Reform Judaism also started a relief effort to help
communities struck by the devastating storm.
“Even as we work to
determine the specific impact to URJ congregations and families, and to our
larger communities, it is already clear – too clear – that this storm will
require a long-term, coordinated recovery effort,” said Steve Sacks, chairman of
the URJ’s North American Board.
He added that the URJ, which is the
largest Jewish denomination in America, will be reaching out to all of its
congregations on the east coast and midwest to determine the most immediate
needs to address.
The organization said it would also work with local
agencies to decide how to allocate the money raised.