Israel to Provide $1 million in Aid to Storm Hit Houston Jewish Community

Israel is planning to give $1 million in emergency aid to the Jewish community in Houston, Texas  to help it recover from Hurricane Harvey,  the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said Monday.

“The Jewish State is measured by its response when our brothers around the world are in crisis,” said Bennett, who heads the ministry in addition to being Minister of Education.

The aid package, which is subject to governmental approval, will be transferred through Israel’s consulate in the town and will be used to help repair and restore communal infrastructure, such as schools, synagogues and community centers, that are not funded or supported by the state.

Hurricane Harvey left at least 47 people dead and caused up to $180 billion in damages, while around 50,000 people had to evacuate their homes The city’s 60,000 strong Jewish community was reported to have suffered substantial damage. Many schools and synagogues cannot be used, the old-age home – home to some 300 senior citizens – suffered water damage and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) was badly affected,”  according to a ministry statement.

“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,” Bennett said. “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. 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.”