Support floods in from the Jewish world

LIKE the wider Australian population, the Jewish community and its brethren around the world have dug deep to help the flood recovery.

With 20 people confirmed dead, another 12 still missing and a repair bill expected to be in the billions, Queensland has a long way to go before normality is restored. To make matters worse, hundreds of families in Victorian towns were forced to evacuate after rivers in the state’s north and west burst their banks.

In response, numerous Jewish community organisations have launched appeals, Jewish students are donning gumboots to help out, and people with special skills are volunteering their expertise in the clean-up. Even Israel extended its hand.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered his country’s assistance to Prime Minister Julia Gillard – “If Israel can provide any aid, please do not hesitate to ask,” he wrote – and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman phoned his counterpart Kevin Rudd.

At this stage, though, Australia has accepted very few international offers of help, but Rudd expressed his gratitude. “Whether it is closest neighbours or the furthest reaches of the world, we have been humbled by the goodwill and generosity offered to our country during this difficult time,” Rudd said.

In a bid to lift the spirits of Queenslanders, the Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, Sir Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, sent a personal message of support.

“We pray for the injured, the bereaved and those who lost their home. May God give them strength and consolation; the strength to survive and consolation in the knowledge that so many in the world share their tears,” Rabbi Sacks wrote.

President of the Orthodox Rabbis of Australasia Rabbi Dovid Freilich also sent his thoughts to Queenslanders, urging synagogues to donate the proceeds of Shabbat aliyahs to the flood appeal. His wish was echoed by the Council of Orthodox Synagogues of Australia.

Jason Steinberg, president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, said the local appeal, being run by Queensland Jewish Community Services, had received offers of assistance from around the country and the world.

“We are very appreciative of all the contributions people have made,” he said.

Queensland Jewish Community Services, which is Queensland’s version of Jewish Care in Victoria and NSW albeit on a smaller scale, will distribute the funds to Jewish families affected by the flood waters.

The Jewish community’s contribution to the Queensland floods has not just been limited to monetary donations – although these have been mighty generous – the largesse has taken all forms.

Rabbi Mendel Kastel from Sydney’s Jewish House is hosting a gala concert on February 8 at the University of NSW featuring Lior, the Potbelleez and Old Man River. It will raise funds for the flood appeal being run by Queensland Jewish Community Services (QJCS).

“This concert will be good and I want to send a big thank you to everyone down south because money has been coming in waves, but we still need more,” QJCS director Ari
Heber said.

A group of university students led by Jeremy Rosengarten was gathering donations and preparing to take them to affected Victorian towns. And The AJN’s Toys & Toiletries campaign, run with Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) and Our Big Kitchen, received an unprecedented response. Stacks of boxes were loaded from Sydney and Melbourne into Chabad of RARA’s truck, and AJN journalist Dalia Sable flew to Toowoomba this week to help distribute the goods.

Many Jewish community groups were also raising funds on behalf of the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

Jewish Aid Australia (JAA) chief executive Gary Samowitz said his organisation had raised more than $120,000 in five days, including a $50,000 sum from Henroth Investments. Part of JAA’s funds will support relief efforts in Aboriginal communities in northern NSW, where JAA is already involved.

Other organisations collecting donations and raising money include Jewish Care Victoria, B’nai B’rith and Our Big Kitchen.

For details on how to donate visit our listings.

NAOMI LEVIN

Image: AJN national editor Zeddy Lawrence (left) with AJN staff Debbie Davis and Sharon Krawitz sorting through donations. Photo: Peter Haskin