An IRMA Update from Rabbi Asher & Henya Federman of Chabad St Thomas

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B”H

Dear Friends,

Henya and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support and encouragement you have showered us with over these trying last few days. Each message and contribution from our friends and loved ones has buoyed our efforts and made much easier these toughest of times.

First of all, we are, thank G-d, well, if somewhat taxed, in body but not in spirit.

Cell phone service is still extremely spotty and in some areas completely out, but even so we’ve received messages from so many of you inquiring about the overall state of affairs on the ground of the island home we love and visit.

It’s not pretty.

The landscape in some places is so scarred from fallen trees and damaged structures as to be almost unrecognizable. While the national guard and good neighborhood citizens have cleared main roads, there is still a lot of dangerous debris and critical cleaning that needs to be done. Many people are occupied with securing the most basic of human needs – shelter, food, and safety. Food refrigeration, cell phone charging, water pumps, laundry, toilet etc. Are a challenge for those without generators. There is a new found appreciation for the “luxury” of a simple shower.

A large percentage of the local police officers have suffered extensive damage to their homes and are pre-occupied. The national guard and the US Marine Corp are deployed to establish order and prevent looting, robberies etc.

Water is scarce. Other provisions are also running low. We’ve received texts and calls from dear friends letting us know that they are subsisting on their last bits of food.

Through all of this, we are doing our best to assist, provide, comfort, and be there for everyone all the time!

It is so heartwarming and special to see the utter selflessness and generous spirit displayed by our community, our neighboring islands, and caring individuals on the mainland. Just yesterday 25 vessels, organized by members of our Chabad community, traveled back and forth from Puerto Rico to St Thomas in addition to other private boats and coast guard cutters which are filled with aid and supplies furnished by the government and citizens of Puerto Rico, and return with evacuees.

We are coordinating with our friends in the Chabad community of Houston, Texas, just recovering from a natural disaster of their own, to ship a 40-foot container of provisions and much needed aid supplies including generators, diapers, baby formula, batteries and etc.

The way people have responded to this catastrophic challenge is astounding and has moved us deeply. Thank you to all of you in the community who have volunteered to help. Special shout out to Danny and Angelica Charak, true angels who have spent the last few days tirelessly coordinating plane and boat trips from Puerto Rico! Thank you John Attias and Elana Harthman! Thank you Gary Manning, Benji Schwartz and the list goes on…

A student Rabbi spent the day scouring Puerto Rico for generators and we’ve succeeded in locating stock which will arrive this afternoon in STT along with chain saws and other vital food & supplies particularly for the elderly. Thank you Adam Israel for transporting it on your boat!

There is a lot more to share and I will do that as best I can. For now, it’s time to leave one of the 3 open WiFi spots that were set up on island and head out East.

Friends, we will need to lean on you heavily in the coming weeks and months, and we hope you can be of help. Please share with your friends and family or anyone else who might find the heart to join us in this cause. Every bit counts!

We will use the funds to finish collecting and shipping the aforementioned 40 ft container with over 1,000 MREs, generators, and other basic necessities. We will continue to assist the community here in any way possible, and provide for the upcoming high holiday and sukkot season.

For those of you reading this on island: Come hurricane or fire but Shabbat lunch will be at our place, usual time. Please join us!

Consider helping us out over here: www.JewishVirginIslands.com/irma Thank you for your participation in these vital efforts!

Enjoy this article about some of our relief work. Here Not Only When The Sun is Shining!

With deep gratitude and much appreciation,

Asher & Henya

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