Five Towns Postpones Dinner

By COLlive reporter

“Lawrence and Cedarhurst are disaster areas,” the local Fire Department Chief Joseph Sperber made it clear in a statement Wednesday about the effect Hurricane Sandy has on the Five Towns area in Long Island, NY.

Photos and videos taken by residents have clearly demonstrated that streets are flooded, trees fallen and many homes are left without electricity. The sewage plants remain operational, if that is any comfort.

Jewish families from the Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Inwood and Woodmere areas have found comfort and warmth – literally – inside Chabad of the Five Towns located on Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst.

Just a short while ago, Shluchim Rabbi Zalman and Chani Wolowik were focusing on their annual gala dinner which was meant to be taking place this Sunday, November 4, and celebrate the Chai-18 anniversary of their work.

Now, with the storm disrupting people’s lives, the event was postponed, yet the importance of their tireless work was highlighted in another way.

With the Chabad center being spared from the hurricane, the Wolowiks and Rabbi Meir and Hadassa Geisinsky welcomed hundreds of people, offering them a place to relax, hang out and even eat.

Videos and projects for children were being offered all through Wednesday and again Thursday, COLlive.com was told. Adults were seen charging their phones and gadgets and making use of free Wi Fi internet connection.

Nachi Light of QCumbers in Cedarhurst (and owner of Pomodori in Crown Heights) generously offered to provide delicious fresh meals at Chabad to those who do not have power or cooking facilities.

Hot soup, salads and sandwiches were being prepared in the kitchen of the QCumbers dairy restaurant which also suffered from a lack of power.

“They cooked with the help of flashlights,” Chani Wolowik told COLlive. “Chabad thank G-d got power back but, but many, many of our friends have lost everything – their cars, homes, possessions – we thank Hashem for restoring power at Chabad so that we may help others.”

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A number of shluchim in Brooklyn and the larger New York area were hit really hard by the hurricane. Some had their homes and Chabad houses flooded with five feet of water and had much of their belongings destroyed.

These shluchim need help clearing their homes of debris and providing much needed supplies to their communities.

If you would like to volunteer please fill out the form below.
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VIDEO: Fish in the parking lot