In four days since the inception of Chabad’s Hurricane Relief Fund, a total of $70,0000 has been raised and allocated, Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch said.
“The needs are much more severe than we imagined. Mosdos have been seriously damaged, many Shluchim homes were hit hard by the storm and communities need vital services,” said Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein of Merkos.
The fund is allocating the funds as soon as they come in. So far two allocations have been made, one on Thursday – 24 hours after the fund’s inception – and another on Sunday.
So far $70,000 has been provided to 20 different Shluchim, Rabbi Sharfstein noted. “We are hoping to make another allocation within the next day or so,” he said. “As soon as the funds are raised we will rush it to the Shluchim who need the help.”
Donations can be made at www.jewishhurricanerelief.com.
Shluchim across the globe are joining this effort to raise funds, Sharfstein explained. “This is a partnership between Shluchim and their communities, together we can help those affected by the storm.”
Sharfstein noted, “we are deeply inspired by the dedication of the Shluchim in the affected areas. Many of them are without power, yet they are disregarding their own needs as they help others.”
Merkos has appointed a Vaad to oversee this project, including Shluchim from the impacted areas.
The Vaad is comprised of Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, Rabbi Yosef Gopin, Rabbi Zalmen Aaron Grossbaum, Rabbi Mendy Herson, Rabbi Mendy Sharfstein, Rabbi Anchelle Pearl and Rabbi Tuvia Teldon.
In addition, Chabad centers that were hit were raising funds on their own through their website’s donate page.
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