Florida Shluchim Rescue Family From Flooded Home

By COLlive reporter

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Florida, many Jewish Florida residents are turning to their local Chabad shluchim for guidance and assistance, both spiritual and practical.

Rabbi Yosef Konikov, Director of Chabad of Orlando, was out in the flooded areas on Thursday, bringing meals, assistance and more to local residents.

During the day, they were called upon to rescue a Jewish family of 2 adults, 2 children and their pet, that called them for help. The family was trapped on the second floor of their home, with the entire area covered in waist-deep flood water.

“The local police were unable to help them, because they are backed up with too many life-threatening situations,” Rabbi Konikov said.

Pushing off in a large jeep and an inflatable raft, Rabbi Yosef and Levi Konikov, a certified lifeguard, headed through the flood waters to the family, and were thankfully able to rescue them and transport them to safety.

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As the shluchim in Florida field call after call from homeless Floridians, their budget stretches thinner than ever. With Yom Kippur and Sukkos fast approaching, the shluchim are in desperate need of funds, as shuls and Chabad centers all along the Florida coast have suffered damages from Hurricane Ian. Shidler is receiving requests from many who urgently need funds to restore their damaged properties.

One year since it first launched to help Chabad shluchim all over the world with automated daily $1 donations from a pool of dedicated givers, DollarDaily.org is closing in on the 500 mark, a milestone it hopes to achieve before Yom Kippur.

“DollarDaily.org is privileged to lead the hurricane relief effort for shluchim,” Shidler commented. “It is the least we can do to show our appreciation and support for the Rebbe’s shluchim.”

For the next couple of weeks, or until necessary, DollarDaily.org will be donating the accumulated funds from the website each day to Chabad centers in Florida.

“It’s hard to imagine a better time than now to sign up with DollarDaily.org,” noted Shidler. “In addition to effortlessly giving tzedakah daily, you are also alleviating the damage caused by the hurricane and giving vital support to Florida residents. Of course, you are also supporting the Rebbe’s shluchim around the world, uniting Jews from all walks of life and grabbing extra zechuyos before Yom Kippur – all that for just $1 a day. It just doesn’t get any better than this.”