By COLlive reporter
The threat of a Category 4 storm did not stop the Rosh Hashana holiday services from continuing at Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers.
During Rosh Hashana, Hurricane Ian took a turn towards Fort Myers, with the threat of flooding up to nine feet in the city.
“The threat became apparent when only 1 person showed up for our Kabbalah / Chasidus class at 9:00 am,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida.
Though a smaller crowd than usual attended High Holiday services at Chabad, “we thank G-d had a Minyan for Shacharit, Torah Reading, Shofar and Musasf,” Rabbi Minkowicz said. “Our Kohen showed up so we were fortunate to have the Priestly Blessings said as well.”
By the time of Kiddush, a larger crowd did show up, he said, so the congregation took the opportunity to daven Mincha after the Kiddush.
For Maariv, a minyan of people braved walking in the rain, so the Chabad Shul had a Minyan then as well.
There was a mandatory evacuation issued for the area, however by the time Yom Tov was over and the community received word about the evacuation, it was too late to leave, Rabbi Minkowicz said.
The airports closed at 9:00 pm on Tuesday, as well as all grocery stores, businesses, and schools.
At 10 am Wednesday morning, Chabad Fort Myers opened its doors to shelter people in the community.
The major landfall hit is scheduled between 12:00 and 2:00 pm, and “we are requesting for all to please add in Torah, prayer, and charity for our safety,” said Rabbi Minkowicz.
Donate via Zelle to [email protected] Or at https://www.chabadswf.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/253283/jewish/Donate.htm
Can someone please tell me how these hurricanes get their names
Why Hashem this so right after rosh hashona this is so hard to except please Hashem watch over everyone from this horrible gezara
Don’t forgot to tracht gut vet zayn gut
Our Rebbe 30 year’s ago, I remember like yesterday, gave a B’racha when there was a hurricane threat in Miami, and (Chassidim) wanted to evacuate and asked for B’racha, the Rebbe said “no evacuation” the Rebbe waved his hand. People did not understand, but sure enough Miami did not get hit…
May G-d protect them. I’m incredulous that “There was a mandatory evacuation issued for the area, however by the time Yom Tov was over and the community received word about the evacuation, it was too late to leave, Rabbi Minkowicz said.” Forecasts were up well before the onset of yom tov and given the severity of the storm, an evacuation on Yom Tov was entirely warranted and particularly those in leadership should have stayed aware of the weather forecast and messages from Emergency Management as the storm progressed.
Definitely not spoken by a Floridian. 48 hours before a storm is to early to know the path. When Irma was forecasted 5 years ago, people from my area (which was told to evacuate) ran to the west coast and to Atlanta, and guess what, the storm was very light here, but the west coast got a direct hit and Atlanta got the storm too.