Thirty years
of Showing Up
when it matters most

Person wearing a blue t-shirt, beige pants, and a black cap crouching and using a hammer on the ground outdoors.
our mission

Rooted in the Jewish principle of tikkun olam (repairing the world), NECHAMA engages volunteers in disaster relief, rebuilds people’s lives, provides comfort and hope, and represents the Jewish people and our values.

Our Vision

A world where the Jewish community brings action, healing, and hope in the aftermath of natural disasters, ensuring that those affected receive the support they need.

Who We Are and How We Work

Responding with expertise and heart

NECHAMA is the sole national Jewish organization dedicated to disaster relief and recovery in the United States. We are embedded in the national disaster response system and work in partnership with local governments, nonprofit agencies, and other relief organizations. 

Our teams work hard to allow families to return home — from mucking and gutting damaged houses to installing drywall and flooring. When disasters are severe, we stay for the long haul to support communities through the full arc of recovery.

Every NECHAMA site is led by experienced team leaders, enabling volunteers of all skill levels to engage in meaningful recovery work with the right tools and training.

Rooted

in

Jewish values.
Open to all.

NECHAMA’s work is guided by seven core Jewish values.

These values guide how we serve affected communities, support volunteers, build partnerships, and show up in communities where Jewish presence is often rare.

Through our Jewish Education & Engagement and Combating Antisemitism initiatives, NECHAMA builds interfaith relationships, brings Jewish education into recovery work, fosters understanding, and combats harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

Our work is Jewish in purpose, and open to all who want to serve: We welcome volunteers and partners of all backgrounds. 

What Sets NECHAMA Apart

NECHAMA uniquely brings together:

Disaster recovery
We organize and lead sustained, hands-on volunteer work after natural disasters.
Jewish representation
We are often the only Jewish presence on the ground in disaster-affected communities.
Volunteer engagement
We offer a powerful way to 
explore identity and purpose through service.

Beyond responding to emergencies, we are building relationships, countering stereotypes, and showing how Jewish values are lived in moments of crisis.

meet the Team

Board

StAFF

Partners & Supporters

Relief
Repair
Beverly
Posner
Morningstar
Compassion
North America
Community Foundation
Spungen
MountainTrue
Adamah Climate
National Voluntary Organizations
North Carolina Council
Leon Levine
Bader
Lutheran Disaster Response
Jewish Federations
Mandel Foundation

Looking Ahead

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the need for sustained recovery continues to grow. NECHAMA is preparing for a future where communities need more support, more often, and well after the storms have faded from the headlines.

Our goal is to expand our capacity so we are ready to serve whenever and wherever the need arises.

Join the Work

There are many ways to be part of NECHAMA’s mission. Whether you bring a group, volunteer as an individual, support the work financially, or partner with us, you are helping families return home and volunteering in a meaningful way.

Person wearing a blue shirt, gloves, and a blue face mask using a DEWALT cordless drill on a wall in a construction or renovation setting.

Donate

Make recovery possible after disaster, now and in the future.

Four people wearing blue shirts and hats using power drills on a concrete surface outdoors under a partly cloudy sky.

Volunteer

Take part in hands-on recovery that changes lives, including your own.

Three women smiling and posing together in a construction or renovation setting wearing casual work clothes, safety goggles, and name tags reading Lucy, Rachel, and Robin.

Partner with us

Respond to disasters with your organization

Stay
Connected

Be the first to hear about deployments, volunteer opportunities, and how Jewish values are helping communities recover after disasters.