"What is might? When you see people about to fall and rescue
them." - Midrash Tehillim 52:24
The Reform community has a long history of generosity when natural disasters devastate communities, when houses of worship burn in the fires of racial prejudice, when terrorism causes havoc, and when other disasters cause harm across the planet. Recent relief efforts have included Haiti Relief, Israel Emergency Relief, Hurricanes, the Asian Tsunami and Sudan. The URJ is a member of the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, which allows a unified Jewish response to natural and man-made crises that occur outside of North America.
Contributions may also be mailed to:
Disaster Relief Fund Union for Reform Judaism 633 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017 or Canadian
Council for Reform Judaism 3845 Bathurst St. Suite 301 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3H 3N2
Please
indicate which relief effort you would like to support on the memo line of your
check or in the comments field for online donations.
March 2012 Tornado Relief
In early March 2012, deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest and southern United States, leaving behind dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries and structural damage to many homes and cities. As we well know, it is always the most vulnerable who bear the brunt of the storm’s impact. Long after the media moves forward, there will be tremendous needs to be met in these communities.
If you would like to help, URJ recommends contributions be made to the following local partners:
Nechama: A Jewish Response to Disaster: Relief teams are currently on-the-ground in Henryville, Indiana. Nechama is collecting funds and accepting volunteers.
Learn more: Temple Sinai of Champaign-Urbana, IL sent a volunteer delegation immediately after the Harrisburg, IL tornadoes. Read their story here.
Spring 2011 Southeast U.S. Storm Recovery
In spring 2011, a series of deadly storms swept across the Southeast and Joplin, Missouri, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. Even today, relief work remains to be done.
To support relief efforts, Temple Emanu-El of Birmingham, Alabama began a special volunteer initiative: Teyn Yad – Lend a Hand. If you would like to volunteer or if your congregation would like to send volunteers to work in Alabama and provide relief for tornado victims, please email
Rabbi Miller.
Earthquake in Haiti
A severe earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010. This is the most severe earthquake to hit that impoverished country in 200 years. The death toll is expected to reach
thousands and it will likely be many days until the impact is fully known. Read more or donate now.
Nothing But Nets
Each year, malaria infects 500 million people, causing over one million deaths, devastating the society and economy of affected regions. For just $10, you can purchase a bed net and help prevent the spread of this terrible disease in Africa through the United Nation Foundation's Nothing But Nets Initiative.Learn more
Crisis in Sudan
The crisis in Sudan is critical, with hundreds of thousands of refugees and victims of atrocities at risk of dying over the next several months. For the first time in its history, the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has declared a “genocide emergency,” saying that genocide is imminent or is actually happening in the Darfur region of Sudan. Learn More...
In times of crisis, the Union activates the Union Disaster Relief Fund for contributions, which are then forwarded to appropriate agencies. In recent years the Union Disaster Relief Fund has provided help to the victims of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, as well as after September 11, and when African American churches were burned in the Southern United States. In the wake of the hurricanes that battered the Gulf Coast in 2005, more than $3 million in donated funds were raised to help the victims and relief agencies, as well as the congregations of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida. Information about the Union's allocations is made public on our website. The Union retains no funds from relief efforts, with the exception of direct costs, such as credit card fees.
In early March 2012, deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest and southern United States, leaving behind dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries and structural damage to many homes and cities. As we well know, it is always the most vulnerable who bear the brunt of the storm’s impact. Long after the media moves forward, there will be tremendous needs to be met in these communities. 
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