Two Announcements: Combating Antisemitism Project & Extending our Hurricane Helene Response

Thank you for being part of NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster. Your support has made a real difference in 2024, a year when we responded to numerous natural disasters across the country. This October, we began our Hurricane Helene response, and thanks to you, we’ve been able to build upon our efforts with two key developments:

New Initiative: Combating Antisemitism in Disaster-Stricken Communities:

Following Hurricane Helene, we witnessed a troubling rise in antisemitic rhetoric targeting disaster relief providers. Thousands of harmful messages were shared online, perpetuating damaging stereotypes. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue documented this in a compelling article, which you can read here.

As the only national Jewish disaster relief organization, NECHAMA is uniquely positioned to combat this antisemitism. Through our relief efforts, we’ve already broken down many stereotypes, and this new project aims to take a more intentional approach, using our on-the-ground presence to counter these harmful narratives.

We’re thrilled to have hired Tzlil McDonald to lead this effort! Tzlil brings extensive experience in bridging divides and fostering understanding. To learn more about this initiative, read the full press release here, and for Tzlil’s bio and personal reflections, click here. You can also reach Tzlil directly at tzlil@nechama.org.

Extending Our Hurricane Helene Response:

The bulk of NECHAMA’s work in Western North Carolina has been “mucking and gutting,” debris removal, and mold remediation treatments. We have already closed out 23 work sites, spending over 2,100 collective volunteer hours doing so.

Due to the incredible need we’ve seen, we’re extending our deployment estimate from six months to nine months, through June 2025. In addition to our current mucking and gutting efforts, we’re excited to begin home rebuild services, a vital next step in recovery.

Volunteers, alongside our skilled on-site team, will be instructed on hanging drywall, painting, trim, and replacing flooring, which will provide even more assistance for the victims of disasters, as is our mission! We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support that has allowed us to expand our disaster relief efforts in Western North Carolina.

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As we step into 2025, we’re motivated by the progress we’ve made and the challenges ahead. There’s still much to do in response to Hurricane Helene, and we’re ready to continue this essential work—both in the structural aid we provide and the guidance we can offer to foster understanding and shatter stereotypes.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting NECHAMA’s mission to bring hope and healing to disaster-affected communities.

Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling 2025,
The NECHAMA Staff