NECHAMA Update February 19, 2025

When NECHAMA arrived in Western North Carolina in October, we knew that there was much work to be done. Since then, we’ve hit many milestones and have expanded our presence in many ways. Read on for some exciting updates and new developments at NECHAMA!

Volunteer Update

Volunteer Hour MilestoneEarlier this month, we officially surpassed 3,600 volunteer hours of work completed! Each hour represents time dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene and restoring hope to victims of natural disasters. We are so grateful for our 322 volunteers who have joined our sites!We will be stationed in Western North Carolina through the summer, and there’s a lot more to be done. We strongly encourage you to join us as part of a group delegation or individual volunteer. Volunteering with NECHAMA is incredibly rewarding and you will see the impact you’ve had on those we serve. For more information, head here.

Volunteer Housing
We’re excited to announce that we officially have volunteer housing available! Until recently, we could only accept day volunteers or those who found their own housing. However, we now have 10 bunk beds available in Hendersonville, NC - bunking alongside our full-time staff! We will be able to accommodate volunteers through April. If you’re interested in volunteering for an extended stay, please email max@nechama.org.

Combating Antisemitism

Under the leadership of Tzlil McDonald, our Combating Antisemitism Project Director, we have been extremely active in our efforts to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish positivity in disaster-stricken areas. Since the launch of this initiative, we’ve held 25 meetings with Jewish organizations, leaders, and partners, and reached out to 50 local churches and influencers to expand community collaboration. In case you missed it, please see the articles published on the topic below:

• After flood of antisemitism post-Hurricane Helene, relief group NECHAMA adds program to combat disaster-related Jew hatred - eJewish Philanthropy
• Combating Antisemitism in Rural Communities - The Times of Israel

Additionally, Tzlil will be a featured guest speaker at the Jewish Secular Community of Asheville, Brevard Jewish Community, AIEA Sisterhood, and the Jewish Community Legacy Project events, where she will discuss our efforts in Western North Carolina and the Combating Antisemitism Project.

Adamah Climate Action Plan

In 2024, NECHAMA joined the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition of Adamah, the leading Jewish environmental organization in North America. In addition to providing disaster relief, which is of increasing importance due to our changing climate, NECHAMA completed Adamah’s Climate Action Plan for 2025. Our plan sets actionable steps that NECHAMA can take to address climate change and make our organization more sustainable and reduce our environmental impact. We’re proud to be part of the 400+ Jewish organizations in the coalition, all committed to the central cause of addressing the climate crisis.

Tu B’shvat

Tree Restoration in Western North Carolina

Tu B’Shvat, a Jewish holiday dubbed “The New Year for Trees,” has become a rallying day for climate action in the Jewish community. This year, Tu B’shvat fell on Wednesday, Feb 12 - Thursday, Feb 13. In honor of this holiday and in recognition of our partners and clients, NECHAMA partnered with Asheville GreenWorks, a local environmental organization, to replant trees in the Appalachian mountains that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene. For more about this project, head to our social media post here or by clicking the image below. To contribute to our efforts, please email Tzlil McDonald.

Stephan Kline: Featured Speaker at Buffalo Synagogue

On Wednesday, February 12 (Tu B’shvat), our CEO Stephan Kline was the featured speaker at Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, New York. Speaking to the synagogues members, Stephan highlighted how climate change affects natural disasters and how NECHAMA responds to major weather events. We are so appreciative of Temple Beth Zion and Rabbi Brent Gutmann for hosting Stephan and elevating our priorities. We hope that some Buffalonians will join us in North Carolina!