September 1st, 2017 10th Elul, 5777 This past week weve all watched in disbelief as Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Southeast Texas. My parents, brother, and grandmother all live in Houston, and thank God, they are doing okay and have it better t
September 1st, 2017 10th Elul, 5777 This past week weve all watched in disbelief as Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Southeast Texas. My parents, brother, and grandmother all live in Houston, and thank God, they are doing okay and have it better t
September 1st, 2017 10th Elul, 5777
This past week we’ve all watched in disbelief as Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Southeast Texas. My parents, brother, and grandmother all live in Houston, and thank God, they are doing okay and have it better than so many. They will be out of their home for at least six months and they will have to repair cars and furniture and appliances, but they are healthy and have shelter.
I have been inundated with calls, Facebook messages and emails from so many of you asking about my family. Thank you for reaching out, for expressing your concern, and for wanting to help. If you’re able, encourage you to donate through the Jewish Federations North America, doing excellent on the ground relief work for Jews and non-Jews alike, or the Houston Federation which is also helping to address immediate needs for Houstonians.
Rescue relief efforts are ongoing, and sadly, the death toll is rising. The damage to Houston is devastating and this will be a years-long recovery and rebuilding process. In the face of this terrible disaster, I am reminded how much people are capable of loving and giving. Within mere hours of the storm hitting, Memphis rabbis were already in communication about how we can support the Houston Jewish community. Random individuals who owned boats floated down the streets pulling people out of their flooded homes. Hordes of people whose houses weren’t damaged rushed to help those who were in danger. Friends of my parents loaned them a car and offered housing for as long as they needed. Hundreds of people have reached out to me and my siblings with messages of care, hope, and concern.
The great collection of love poetry in the Bible, Song of Songs, has been on my mind this week.
Vast floods cannot extinguish the love, neither can the rivers drown it. (Song of Songs 8:7)
I am reminded that the love is stronger than the flood. Waters cannot extinguish the desire for human beings to reach out to one another, to offer support. The waters that destroy homes are not stronger than the love that brings us out to help others that are hurt.
May our love continue to pour out freely like water. May our love overflow, reminding those affected that even the love that strangers from afar have for them is stronger than water.
