We are writing to seek your urgent assistance for the Jewish community of Baton Rouge.
As you know, Baton Rouge and adjacent areas of Louisiana were hit almost a month ago with a flood of historic proportions. In one day, Baton Rouge was deluged by over 24 inches of rain, more than four times the record breaking rainfall the South Bend community saw in August, and the equivalent of 7.1 trillion gallons of water. Dumping three times as much rain as fell during Hurricane Katrina, this "hurricane without the wind or a name" ravaged over 110,000 homes, causing damage that will ultimately exceed $20 billion.
The small but vibrant Jewish community of Baton Rouge has been hit hard, and because of its small size has very little communal infrastructure to mobilize and respond to the needs of families who have been affected.
Imagine that one in nine Jewish families in St. Joseph Valley had suffered devastating uninsured financial losses and untold emotional distress of losing everything to an unprecedented natural disaster. Imagine community members without jobs as their small businesses and employers were forced to shut down.
Now imagine if there was no Jewish Family Services or Jewish Federation able to assist or organize our community- just one part-time Federation director who is among those who have lost their homes.
This is the reality in Baton Rouge.
The Jewish Federations of North America, along with Federations through the country are joining together to help the Jewish community. The cost for total recovery in the Baton Rouge Jewish community is expected to exceed $1 million over the next 12-24 months. Only with the help of Jewish communities throughout North America can we hope to raise the funds needed to help every family.
The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley has committed to a donation of $500 to provide aid to the Baton Rouge community. We invite you to join us in contributing to that gift, and help us increase our pledge with your donations.
Every little bit helps, and your most generous gift will help reach that goal in a timely manner.
You can donate in one of two ways. You can call the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley at 574-233-1164 to make a donation on your credit card, or you can mail a check to the Jewish Federation.
Any checks must be made out to the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley with Baton Rouge Relief in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to 3202 Shalom Way, South Bend, IN 46615.
For more information you can contact the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley at 574-233-1164.
