 NFTYites and their families are being directly affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As we watch in awe the damage done in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the surrounding areas, and specifically New Orleans, our NFTY friends who have been displaced are in our thoughts constantly.
The NFTY Social Action Theme for the year calls upon us to heal our own communities and ourselves before we can fulfill the mitzvah of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Now, as we witness the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we must act immediately to heal our community and help those within it in their time of need. We are privileged to have numerous resources available to help those whose lives have been affected and we plan to work alongside the URJ and other organizations that already are responding to this disaster.
NEW! Download the NFTY Katrina Relief Flier to distribute to your Temple Youth Group!
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- Post an online message in NFTY's online T'filot v'Tikvaot, book of prayers and hope. We will compile your messages into a book which will be sent to our friends in NFTY who have been so affected by this tragedy.
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Because of the scope of the devastation, our financial contributions are essential. We would like to invite every TYG in North America to participate in the NFTY's Katrina Challenge. We challenge each TYG through fundraisers – bake sales, car washes, bagels on Sunday mornings at Temple, the creation and selling of crafts or NFTY merchandise, etc. – to raise $100. If each TYG were to take part in this endeavor and donate $100, NFTYites would raise upwards of $45,000 to $50,000 for the relief effort. Visit our Katrina Challenge page for more information and to contribute now!
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- The URJ Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS , is providing food and shelter for those who were forced to evacuate, including members from Northshore Congregation.
- The Union for Reform Judaism has set up a website for updates on news from our congregations at http://urj.org/relief. In addition, there is a place on the site for individuals to share information in a timely way, including notice of their whereabouts for colleagues and friends. We also have established a hurricane relief phone line (212.452.6526) and email (hurricanerelief@urj.org) where individuals can leave messages with specific questions or offers of support. It will be some time until we know what the needs will be, both short and long-term. This web site will be the best vehicle to keep apprised about what the Union is doing and what the affected congregations need.
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