Israel to give $1 Million in aid to Houston's Jewish community

Israel will reportedly donate $1 million in emergency aid to Houston's Jewish community to aid in post-Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett says in a statement that the funds will be earmarked to help the 60,000-strong community repair and rebuild schools, synagogues and a community center damaged in the storm and floods.

 

A Torah scroll is removed from the Houston Chabad House (Photo: Chabad.org)

"The city of Houston was hurt badly last week, and the Jewish community, 70 percent of which lived in the flooded neighborhoods, was hit hard," said Bennett. "Schools and synagogues were flooded and can’t be used. The old-age home and JCC were damaged, and hundreds of families will remain homeless. From talks we’ve had over the past week with the heads of the community and Israel’s Consul General we learned the damage is vast, and the rehabilitation will take years.

Photo: Chabad.org

"For years, the Jewish communities stood by Israel when it needed their help; now it is our turn to stand by Houston’s Jewish community," added Bennett.

Photo: Chabad.org

The aid money will be submitted for government approval at an upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Awaiting rescue (Photo: Reuters)

Hurricane Harvey struck on Aug. 25 and pounded the city with five consecutive days of heavy rains, causing an estimated tens of billions of dollars in damage. So far, 47 are known to have died as a result of the hurricane.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Israel to give $1 Million in aid to Houston's Jewish community : http://ift.tt/2eW4dTH