While Hurricane Melissa has devastated Jamaica and dominated news coverage in the United States, another deadly natural disaster has been making waves across the world.
Last week, Typhoon Fengshen brought devastating rainfall to central Vietnam, causing historic flooding in large portions of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tourist destination that annually attracts tens of thousands of Israeli backpackers among other tourists.
While every year brings a rainy season to different parts of Vietnam, this particular flood event is unprecedented for Hoi An, a coastal city located in the center of the country, about 30 kilometers south of Da Nang. Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Rocheli Fridman, directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Hoi An, have been serving the Jewish community there since October 2023, and share that the flooding is the worst the town has experienced since records have been kept.
“It started Monday morning with the intense rains following the typhoon,” Rabbi Fridman reported on a call with Chabad.org. “At first, it wasn’t serious, but the waters rose quickly. Some areas of the city are completely submerged. Entire houses are underwater.”
The rabbi and his family remained safely in their home for two days as floodwaters rose to three to four feet on their street. While their home is slightly elevated and held back water for several days, water entered the house on Wednesday, knocking out the electricity. Flood waters are expected to persist for a few days. The Chabad center, near the Fridmans’ house, has sustained damage, with two to three feet of water inside, and currently has no electricity or running water.
The Chabad House of Hoi An serves a vital role for the large Israeli backpacking community, and Jewish tourists from around the world. Since 2023, when the director of Chabad of Vietnam, Rabbi Menachem Hartman, invited the couple to join Chabad’s work in the country, the Fridmans have opened a kosher restaurant and host regular Shabbat meals and learning programs for both the local Jewish population and throngs of tourists. The Chabad House typically welcomes around 250 people for a Shabbat meal, even during the quieter rainy season. This year, on Rosh Hashanah, they hosted more than 750 people for services and communal holiday meals.
Despite the challenging conditions with impassable roads, the Fridmans are doing their best to respond to requests for food and assistance. The rabbi hopes to resume Shabbat dinners and other operations as soon as conditions allow.
To support the Fridmans’ relief efforts and help repair the damaged Chabad House, donations can be made here.
That last picture is so special
I have friends who have been to Menachem Fridman’s Chabad Center in Hoi An, and they described a phenomenal Shabbat experience! Wishing them a speedy return to “business!”