NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster

06/05/2026

Hurricane season began on June 1st. While the next storm may not be here yet, preparation can't wait.

On this Shabbat, we read Parshat Beha'alotcha, where Aaron is commanded to kindle the menorah so its light shines forth. Before the flame could be lit, the oil, the wicks, and the vessels all had to be prepared. We reflect on this as we’re preparing our equipment and strengthening partnerships so we're ready to respond when disaster strikes.

When families face overwhelming loss, showing up quickly with help, hope, and compassion makes all the difference. But that response starts long before a storm is in the forecast.

Your gift today helps ensure that we're ready for tomorrow.

💙 Help us prepare before the next storm arrives. Please donate today: https://www.nechama.org/donate

05/27/2026

A new day is dawning at NECHAMA 🌅

At NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster, we believe that even after the darkest nights, a new day always begins. Today, that belief is reflected in something tangible: our brand-new website and updated look.

Our new brand colors are inspired by the morning dawn to reflect the light, warmth, resilience, and the promise of a new day. And to honor our roots, our new design carries forward the Magen David (Star of David), our traditional NECHAMA blue, and everything that has defined us for decades.

Our new site makes it simpler than ever to:
✨ See your impact
✨ Sign up to volunteer
✨ Support our mission
✨ Follow our latest deployments

Please explore our new home at nechama.org and let us know what you think!

Lastly, we’d like to say that none of this is possible without you. Thank you for always standing with us and helping bring hope to communities in need. Here’s to a new day!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and the enduring impact of their courage and commitment. At NECHAMA, we have always been proud to support veterans and military families affected by natural disasters, and to stand alongside those who have given so much in service to others. Today, we remember and honor all who gave their lives fighting for our country.

05/21/2026

As we head into Shavuot, Rabbi Scott Klein shares a few reflections on how the values we received at Sinai continue to guide NECHAMA’s work today. From the concept of shared responsibility to the practice of deep compassion, these ancient traditions are the blueprint for our modern response. We have also prepared a special Tikkun handout to help you explore these themes in your own home or community: https://shorturl.at/69ZNI

May you have a meaningful and joyful holiday!

05/20/2026

The tradition of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot- staying up all night to study- reminds us that meaningful change requires persistence and stamina. The path to recovery for a disaster-stricken community is rarely short, but we remain committed to the long road ahead. Our resilience is fueled by the dedication of our volunteers and the strength of the families we serve.

05/18/2026

The Book of Ruth, traditionally read during Shavuot, teaches us the profound impact of chesed (loving-kindness). Ruth’s story is one of unwavering loyalty to those in need, even in the face of uncertainty. At NECHAMA, true compassion means ensuring no one faces the aftermath of a disaster alone. We strive to be the steady hand that helps families navigate the difficult road toward recovery.

05/17/2026

Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing a special series of posts leading up to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the receiving of the Torah- a moment that defined our collective responsibility to one another. At NECHAMA, we live this value by showing up when communities need us most. Whether it is responding to a sudden flood or a devastating tornado, our commitment is rooted in the belief that we are our brother’s keeper.

05/15/2026

Another powerful moment from last week’s National VOAD Conference came during Dr. Leonard Marcus’s moving plenary address on leadership, crisis and our shared responsibility to show up for others in moments of crisis.

Dr. Marcus is Founder of Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and a professor at Harvard T.H.Chan’s School of Public Health.

In a deeply personal reflection, Dr. Marcus shared his father’s story as a Holocaust survivor, a story shaped by unimaginable loss, but also by an act of humanity that made survival possible. He connected those experiences to the work of disaster response today: standing beside communities in their darkest moments, restoring hope, and choosing compassion over indifference.

Dr. Marcus’ powerful words were a reminder that the work NECHAMA does in disaster response is ultimately about people and the responsibility we all carry: to lift one another up, to act with purpose, and to be a force for good.

“You are it,” he told the room. “You are the good.” We encourage you to watch his full remarks here: https://youtu.be/TdYJEZ4mgjQ

In this powerful plenary session from the 2026 National VOAD Conference, Dr. Leonard Marcus of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard Uni...

05/13/2026

The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) Conference is the central gathering place for 800 professionals who respond to U.S. natural disasters. At the opening plenary, Rabbi Benjamin Zober of Temple Sinai (Reno, NV) offered an invocation that deeply resonated with NECHAMA’s disaster response and recovery.

Through humor and reflection, Rabbi Zober acknowledged a difficult truth: bad things do happen, but what matters most is how we respond. Drawing on Jewish tradition and Maimonides’ teaching on righteous giving, the rabbi reminded the largely faith-based (non-Jewish) audience that the highest form of support is helping people move toward self-sufficiency.

Rabbi Zober’s closing words, rooted in Psalms, offered a powerful vision of recovery: those who sow in tears will one day reap in joy.

Please watch the video shared here for his full message.

05/10/2026

As we have now wrapped up our work in New Bern, we wanted to say how thankful we are to everyone who joined us on site! Our volunteers and staff made a lot of progress on a home in Craven County - from extensive demolition work to installing new insulation and subflooring. Thank you so much to our wonderful local volunteers and synagogue groups that joined us from Raleigh and Wilmington - and a special thank you to the fabulous Lisa and Lloyd, who traveled all the way from Connecticut to volunteer with us again!

We’re so glad to have been able to work with and support our wonderful partner Coastal Carolina Disaster Resiliency Agency in this long-term recovery work.