NECHAMA on Righteous Crowd this Week!
A NECHAMA volunteer sifts through a family’s photos after Hurricane Harvey to help save family memories.
NECHAMA
Jewish Response to Disaster
In this week’s Torah portion, Noah, we learn of the story of the great flood and the building of Noah’s Ark. Inspired by this story and Noah’s actions in preparing for the flood, we are supporting an organization that provides natural disaster response and recovery services nationwide. NECHAMA is a volunteer-driven organization whose programs provide direct disaster assistance, training, and other support to affected individuals, families, and small businesses.
Read our interview below with Executive Director David Kaplan.
Why did you decide to start working with NECHAMA?
I believe deeply in the work NECHAMA does and the role it plays in the world. When disasters strike, NECHAMA provides affected communities with the resources needed to not only rebuild after natural disasters, but also to enable these communities to better prepare for and respond to events in the future. So often, these events disproportionally affect low and lower-income communities, uninsured and underinsured families, and at-risk households. Through this work, we bring together people of many faiths and background, breaking down barriers, stereotypes, and misconceptions, and together build a stronger community by creating mutual respect and understanding among people.
What has surprised you about working with NECHAMA?
There are so many disasters no one has heard of - flooding is small towns and communities, tornadoes that damage farm houses and rural downtowns. These events are no less devastating to those affected, but due to the smaller size - there is little to no assistance available to them. At NECHAMA - we focus on these events, but due to their nature, there is very little, if any, funding for them - so we have to rely on individual givers who believe in what we are doing, and the impotence of not leaving these communities behind.
What's the best part of your job and why?
The best part of my job is spending time with the families we are assisting and getting to know them and hear their story. Every family affected by a disaster has a story to tell, and just as important as it is to repair their home and make it safe and livable, it is just as important to hear their story and acknowledge their experience. Getting to know these families, and finding common bonds, has been life changing for myself, my staff, and many of our volunteers.
What are some non-monetary ways for others to get involved with NECHAMA?
We rely on more than 1,000 volunteers every year who support us with their time and talents to assist communities throughout the United States.
To learn more about NECHAMA, click here