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Topics in this digest:
Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
The scale of the damage from Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding
of New Orleans is still unknown. In all likelihood the death toll will be in
the thousands. One estimate I heard said that Katrina will have a $100
Billion impact on the US economy. There may be over a million refugees.
It’s hard to imagine such a thing here in America.
I was at a meeting Friday afternoon at the Toledo City Council where
representatives of Federal, State, and Local governments, including
Congresswoman Kaptur and Mayor Ford, spoke to clergy about relief efforts
and what we can do to help.
As much as many people feel eager to DO SOMETHING right now the best thing
we can do is send money and pray. The situation is very disorganized and
chaotic. The authorities recommend against people just going down and
showing up to help, or sending trucks of supplies without having a clear
destination.
If you are interested in volunteering to go to the effected areas to help,
you can call United Way’s 2-1-1 number. Just dial 2-1-1 from a Toledo area
phone and tell them you are calling because you are interested in
volunteering. They will ask a few questions and put you in their database.
If you are a medical professional and would like to volunteer, you can go to
http://r.vresp.com/?RebBarrysTorahCommen/10beddb2ea/393957/7f2a79ca74/565f099
to register.
Here are three options for donating money:
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has opened a special fund for
hurricane relief. Money collected will go both to support general relief
efforts and to support Conservative synagogues that have been effected by
the disaster. You can donate online at www.uscj.org, click on “Hurricane
Relief” to donate online. Donations by check can be made payable to "USCJ";
indicate in the memo section that the donation is for the Hurricane Disaster
Relief Fund. Checks should be mailed to USCJ Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund;
121 Congressional Lane; Suite 210; Rockville, MD 20852.
The Jewish Federation of Toledo is also collecting money for hurricane
relief which will support both Jewish community needs and general relief
efforts. To donate online go to www.ujc.org and follow the link. To donate
by check, send your check to United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo, 6465
Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, Ohio 43560. Please note on the memo line that your
contribution is for disaster relief.
The American Red Cross is the leading organization on the ground doing
relief work. You can make an online donation at www.redcross.org, by phone
at 1-800-HELP-NOW, or send a check to American Red Cross, Greater Toledo
Area Chapter, 3100 West Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43606, mark your check for
hurricane relief.
The needs are urgent. There are shortages of basics like food and water.
Rabbi Leff
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