After two weeks of Chabad’s search and rescue efforts in the WNC region, we officially mark ourselves as safe on Facebook. We proudly share that every single person on our mailing list, and every intake form asking for help searching for a loved one, has been responded to.
Thank you to the 40 volunteer search and rescue callers, and 7 professional Jewish search and rescue teams from out of state, Phase #1 — accounting for every member, is now complete, and no one is left behind.
The first question in the Torah asked of the first human being Adam, was - “Ayekah” — “Where are you?”
Not who/what/how/why/when, but “where” are you? We didn’t sign up for this hurricane. Who could have predicted this in Asheville?! But it is not time for questions.
Our response to the hurricane is that which our ancestors have given throughout the generations. “Hineni- “here I am.” All hands on deck, show up as your best selves. Those are the current marching orders for us all.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught us that we are not complete without one another, and in order to mark ourselves as safe, there can be no one who is left behind. We pause for a moment to thank the Rebbe for this monumental teaching, thank Hashem for being able to do so, and thank each of you for your unique part in this mission.
We are now looking at a very long road ahead, in Phase #2. Lots of local individuals and businesses needing relief, needing help rebuilding; lots of elderly folks needing calls and visits, and lots of families needing support of every kind. In short, more than one million Mitzvahs are waiting to be done. We look toward this next phase with hope, strength, and resolve, and pray for success on this next part of the journey.
To all who celebrate Yom Kippur, we wish you an easy and meaningful fast, a Gmar Chatima Tova, and a Shabbat Shalom. To everyone else, may God bless you and protect you; thank you for being a part of our Chabad family.
We will see you back here next week!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Susskind
Chabad-Lubavitch, WNC
Hurricane Site:
Volunteer/Request Help/Donate
www.chabadasheville.org/helene
phone: 828-505-0746
Photo credits: Laurie Johnson Photography
