Emergency Relief Fund Established to Help Jewish Communities in Texas

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As each of you know, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania on many occasions has participated in emergency fundraising efforts in the US, in Israel and around the world to assist in responding to crises of all kinds. Unfortunately, events unfolding in Texas as a result of the recent deep freeze are yet another instance when we are called upon to assist our People.

Our national Federation Office (JFNA) in New York has been in close contact with all of the Texas Federations – Dallas, Shalom Austin, the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso, the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth & Tarrant County, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, as well as the smaller Network communities in Brownsville, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, Galveston, McAllen, Tyler and Waco. Where there is need, they have supplied warm blankets, bottled water and plumbing assistance.

JFNA has already stepped up to help their colleagues in Texas. Within a few hours, the Large Intermediate Federations of North America all pulled together to contribute funds to their peers in Dallas and Houston – enough to support 1,000 Shabbat packages along with Kosher hot meals at multiple locations. Our national Federation office (JFNA) was proud to contribute to their effort, which highlights the beauty and strength of our People.

In response to this effort, Houston Federation President & CEO Kari Dunn Saratovsky commented that “there’s very little that is warm in Texas right now, but I can tell you that my heart is very warm, thanks to all of you! You are an incredible group of colleagues and friends.”

In addition to this generous outpouring of support, JFNA’s Emergency Committee, a volunteer body that allocates emergency funds contributed by the community to address disaster relief, opened a national mailbox to ensure that additional contributions flow to communities throughout Texas and elsewhere hit by the freezing weather, allowing them to get through the immediate emergency and rebuild from this disaster.

The Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania is participating in this effort and invites each of you to join in supporting the relief efforts of our Texas Federations. Please share this information with others who might be inclined to contribute to this cause.

We will continue to evaluate and address the situation. In the meantime, we send our love and best wishes to all the communities affected by the storm.

Mark Silverberg, Executive Director

Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Federation raises funds through its annual UJA Campaign and allocates these funds locally, regionally, as well as internationally for Israel and overseas Jewish needs through the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) in 59 countries throughout the world.  Watch our video to see WHO BENEFITS FROM YOUR GIVING and consider making a donation!

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