“Baruch she-g’malani Kol Tov- Blessed is the
one who has spared me from harm”

This is the prayer we Jews offer when we have averted near disaster. All of us in South Florida can identify with this sentiment as we narrowly escaped the wrath of Hurricane Dorian. Unfortunately, it is not the same for our fellow Americans further up the coast and certainly not for our neighbors in the Northern Bahamas. By now we have all seen the devastation, and we cringe in horror at what is left of these small islands. Our hearts break as our instinct is to help especially given our own good fortune.

As a hurricane survivor of similar magnitude on St. Thomas 24 years ago, I can only tell you that any and all help is totally appreciated. This is so not only for the material items to preserve and sustain life and eventually rebuild but for the emotional recognition that we were not forgotten. During this month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish Year in preparation for the coming Days of Awe, I ask that we all do what we can to let the people of the Bahamas know they are not only in our prayers but that we have contributed to their rehabilitation, individually and as a community. It is to that end that I recommend the following ways we can assist with the relief effort.

First, you can contribute funds to the Jewish Federation of Broward County by clicking here. These funds will be used to purchase needed items like generators and chain saws for the general relief effort.

Second, I invite you to join to support a member of our congregation and a Phylis J. Green ECC parent, Jamie Weisler, who is helping a close friend whose parents live on a small outer island called Green Turtle Cay. The town was completely destroyed. We at CKT will be collecting items such as the ones listed below which will go directly to that island. You can also send funds to a Go Fund Me account which will support this island in particular. To donate to the Go Fund Me account click here .

The immediate items needed are: extension cords for generators, shade canopy tents-there are no trees left (they are good with sleeping tents), large sized women’s underwear and bras, tampons and sanitary pads. Other items that are still needed are: HARDWARE ITEMS: Generators & fuel cans (empty) tarpaulins/large & small tents/all sizes with mosquito screens if possible, sun shades 1/4 inch nylon line/cord, grace ice & water, shield solar flash lights, battery operated flash lights, AA/AAA batteries, gas powered portable grills & gas bottles, BBQs & propane, bottles Large alloy/stainless pots/pans, spades shovels, skill saws, battery operated drills, Philosophy head drill bits, screws/Philips head nails, 110 volt fans, Yoga mats to sleep on, sleeping mats, chain saws, portable air conditioning units for medical tents, re-usable water bottles, bench freezer (ice), fridge (medical), re-usable ice packs, sheets/towels, toilet paper, dish liquid, powdered detergent for washing clothes, large capacity ice maker (commercial) FOOD: baby food/pouches/formula, dry goods as much as possible, Items that only require water to re-hydrate rice in sealed plastic bags/quick cook if possible, dried vegetables, dried pasta, dried soups, dried fruit Granola bars Powdered milk Powdered drinks/Gatorade Long life milk Zip lock bags/gallon/quart Durable plastic plates, knives & forks, salt & pepper MEDICAL EQUIPMENT/sanitary Insect repellent/all forms Advil/Tylenol/aspirin, bandages Band-Aids, iodine gauze pads, disinfectant alcohol swabs, alcohol/antibacterial, anti-bacterial ointments, saline solutions, diapers feminine products, toothpaste/brushes, body wash/antibacterial, soap/antibacterial, pet food, leashes.

In addition, we are trying to connect with a small Jewish Community in Freeport at the Louis de Torres Synagogue. Some of our teens along with Rabbi Stollman visited there a few years ago. We hope to reach out to them to see how we can help in the weeks and months ahead.

This week’s Torah portion exhorts, “Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof…Justice, Justice You Must Pursue.” May we execute justice by means of our “Tzedakah” our righteous giving in aiding those like us, made in the image of God, who suffer so and try to cope with their new reality.

May the Holy One comfort the bereaved and inspire us to help heal the physical and emotional wounds left in the wake of Dorian.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Boxman