Dear Friends,

We are shocked at the horrific devastation suffered by the earthquake and tsunami in Southern Asia. The massive amount of death and suffering staggers our imagination and call us to respond as human beings and as Jews. We are proud of the fact that first among the caregivers and responders are Jews, and we are asking you to join in our people’s efforts to lift up the fallen and help these people rebuild their lives.

When Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was asked, following the Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery, if he had had time to pray, he said, “My feet were praying.” Sometimes, we pray with our words and thoughts, sometimes we pray with our hands and feet, and sometimes, we pray with our signatures on checks.

As leaders of your congregation, we strongly encourage you to make donations to ease the suffering of those that have survived and help to rebuild life in Central Asia. We have set up a special emergency fund here at Temple Emanu-El, the “Asian Earthquake Relief Fund”. We will send in one check from Temple Emanu-El to the Union of Reform Judaism, our umbrella organization of Reform congregations. The URJ will work in concert with the other Jewish relief agencies around the world, so we will know that our dollars will go to help those most in need.
Checks should be made payable to Temple Emanu-El, (write “Asian Earthquake Relief Fund” in the memo section of your check). Be generous, now, when the need is so great.

May God reward you for your kindness and keep you and those you love safe from all harm.

Shalom,


Rabbi Jonathan Miller
Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss
Cantor Jessica Roskin
Dr. Jack Aland, Jr. President