Social Action

Police HQ destroyed in Haiti - a Flickr by AIDG- 1/16/2010

We have all been profoundly shocked and dismayed by the tragedy of the island of Haiti that was struck by a devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.0 last January 12 leaving only rubbles and hundreds of thousands of casualties. The outpouring solidarity was nearly immediate, even before anyone could simply fathom what it meant. Our congregation rallied and called to action in the form of donations, as there were enough reputable organizations that quickly set up funds that could welcome everyone’s generosity. When tragedy strikes, this is the least we can do, besides crying and praying.

Last Sunday several congregants were able to answer the call of the South Salem Presbyterian Church who was assembling hygiene kits to be sent for relief to the Haitian people, made of ziplock bags containing nail clippers, toothbrushes, cloth. It’s a great soothing feeling to see everyone do, as little as may be, give their time and energy in the community, to come to the aid of stricken people who lost everything.

I have been following the rescue efforts as much as I could,  and been amazed at the fortitude of the rescue teams. I have been praying for the return of this young woman of Somers, who was part of a charitable mission with her Florida University and I have been saddened by the news. There is a sense of utter community when you feel that tragedy is not just spelling out numbers without faces, but people you know, who are part of your own town or college, country or families.

I have been incredibly moved by the effort conducted by the IDF, the Israeli defense, who sent a medical crew from half the world away together with the latest of the art medical field hospital. Two days after the earthquake, they were already saving lives. The first baby who was delivered on January 15 was named Israel by his thankful new mother. May this little boy grow safe and know a less tragic course of life! Finally the Israeli went back home, but in the meantime they did wonders and I hope this can send a message to our youth on the right thing to do and the great mission of pikuah hanefesh (saving a soul).

Here is a short clip taken on a cell phone while the Zaka team is enticing a crowd of Haitian into singing  Evenu Shalom Aleichem. Zaka is a group  of very religious orthodox israeli whose mission is to help rescue and recover in cases of tragedies. They were four of them who went right away to Haiti and offered their know-how, and they did not stop during Shabbat because saving a life takes precedence on the Shabbat.

You may go to our website to see  our JFC Social Action Committee page or contact them if you want to get further involved.