Since April 20, 2010, when BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico every day. While the long term environmental damage can only be imagined, the immediate impact on the residents of the Gulf Coast is already being felt. The regional fishing industry could lose billions of dollars, people are out of work and an already struggling community is facing tremendous economic challenges.
In response to this crisis, the Union for Reform Judaism is partnering with the Jewish Funds for Justice (JFSJ) to help the people most affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The JFSJ Gulf Coast Recovery Fund will be used to support grass roots organizations in the region that are assisting those who are out of work, retraining people for new jobs and working on recovering the coastline. The Union for Reform Judaism withholds no overhead expenses for disaster relief donations, except for direct costs such as credit card fees. Donations made through the Union for Reform Judaism will be passed along to the Jewish Funds for Justice.
Donations can be made online or by check (note: Gulf Coast Recovery Fund in the memo section) to:
Union for Reform Judaism Attention: Development 633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10017
Nashville Flood Crisis
In recent days, flash
floods have caused catastrophic losses throughout the South, most notably
impacting Nashville, TN. At least 29 people were killed in Tennessee, Mississippi
and Kentucky
by either floodwaters or tornadoes. Damage estimates are in the tens of
millions of dollars. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen declared more than half of Tennessee's counties
disaster areas. The Cumberland River also deluged some of Nashville's most important sites and revenue
sources, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel and Convention
Center. Within the Jewish community, 50-60 families suffered catastrophic
losses of homes or businesses, including 15-18 within our own Reform family.
Those who wish to
assist in relief efforts might consider sending gift cards to either of our
Reform congregations (addresses below). The most helpful cards are for general
use (AmEx, MasterCard, Visa) or stores like Target, Walgreen's, Home Depot or Lowes.
Contributions to assist affected members of the Jewish community can be sent to
the local Jewish Federation
or to the rabbis' discretionary funds at the congregations listed below, designated for flood relief.
Congregation
Micah 2001 Old Hickory Blvd, Brentwood, TN
37027-4032
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 untold harm across the planet. Recent relief efforts have included Israel Emergency Relief, Hurricanes and Sudan. The Union for Reform Judaism 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.
Donate now by choosing a fund from the menu below:
Contributions may also be mailed to:
Disaster Relief Fund Union for Reform Judaism 633 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017
Earthquake in Chile
On February 28, 2010 one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history of
8.8 magnitude struck Chile, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction
of homes, schools, hospitals, offices and infrastructure. The earthquake
devastated a historic congregation, the Sociedad Israelita Max Nordau in
Valparaso, which is affiliated with the World Union for Progressive Judaism
(WUPJ). This Sephardic congregation, established in 1916 by immigrants from Turkey, is the oldest Jewish congregation in Chile. The WUPJ
has opened a fund to assist the congregation.Learn
more about the congregation and how you can help.
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...
The Reform community has a long and strong history of generosity when floods or earthquakes devastate communities, when houses of worship burn in the fires of racial prejudice, when terrorism causes havoc, and when other disasters cause untold harm to people across the planet. In such times, the Union activates the Union Disaster Fund for contributions, which are then forwarded to appropriate agencies. In recent years the Union Disaster Relief Fund has provided help to the victims September 11, floods in Europe, earthquakes in South America and Southeast Asia, Black churches that were burned in Southern United States and the Grand Forks community when it flooded. 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 agencies that are assisting them and the congregations of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida.
In recent days, flash
floods have caused catastrophic losses throughout the South, most notably
impacting Nashville, TN. At least 29 people were killed in Tennessee, Mississippi
and Kentucky
by either floodwaters or tornadoes. Damage estimates are in the tens of
millions of dollars. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen declared more than half of Tennessee's counties
disaster areas. The Cumberland River also deluged some of Nashville's most important sites and revenue
sources, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel and Convention
Center. Within the Jewish community, 50-60 families suffered catastrophic
losses of homes or businesses, including 15-18 within our own Reform family.
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