Editor's Letter

Remember The Fury

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,

usan Loss wasn't content with letting the people of
She couldn't believe the ravage eight months after Katrina
Louisiana try to rebound from Hurricane Katrina
— houses on top of cars, trees slicing through houses, toys on
without lending a hand. "I was intent on going down rooftops, a porch and steps standing with no house, a teddy
to help in the cleanup effort or rebuilding:' she told me in a
bear laying in what once was a family's yard. -
moving conversation.
The New Orleans jazz festival held during her six-day visit
The Bloomfield Hills resident had worked for Habit for
stimulated badly needed commerce. A librarians' convention
Humanity last summer in Houston
is expected to bring 11,000 visitors to town.
where she and her husband, Harold,
Help remains in short supply. "Everyone is so grateful for
a rabbi at Temple Israel in West
assistance, and there are groups coming down," Loss says.
Bloomfield, were attending the Union
"But on a whole, they are feeling the country has forgotten
for Reform Judaism convention. She
about them."
helped build a house that eventually
The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans recommends
was sent to New Orleans after Katrina
gift cards from major national retail chains or contributions
laid a path of devastation last August.
to the Federation's Katrina Fund.
So when the Jewish Federation of
With hurricane season returning, it's important to keep
Greater New Orleans issued a call
New Orleans and other Katrina-blasted areas in your
for volunteers this spring, Loss and
prayers and thoughts. Your aid is not taken for granted,
a friend, Ellie Dolgin of New York,
whether it arrives through the New York-based United Jewish
responded. Opportunities included
Communities or a secular fund.
rebuilding homes, counseling students, repairing levees,
"It is appreciated beyond words:' Allan Bissinger, presi-
restoring pump stations and providing emergency service.
dent of the New Orleans federation told the Jewish press..
Susan Loss's story of heartache, resolve and fulfillment in
"We can give you a simple 'thank you' where a 'thank you' is
the aftermath of Katrina is one that Jews and non-Jews alike
not enough. But that's all we have to give. And we know that
should hear.
whether you come down and assist or help via a donation of
When Loss arrived among the bayous on May 3, it was
one kind or another, you will touch and improve the lives of
like a ghost town. Many areas still had no electricity
or functional sewers. In some cases, ravaged homes
couldn't be razed and replaced because their own-
ers couldn't be found. Few stores or restaurants were
open; employees had fled or proprietors could not
easily collect on their insurance. Highway underpasses
were filled with cars and boats awaiting insurance
claims. The French Quarter was a shell of its former
self. Tourists anywhere were few.
Many people were living in federally funded mobile
homes, which arrived by the dozens and set down
wherever level ground and hookups were available.
"This is tough living:' Loss said. "These people,
while grateful for their lives, are very depressed and
don't know if they will ever have a home again, let
Some of what Susan Loss saw in New Orleans in May.
alone a community."
The first day there, Loss and Dolgin worked at the Habitat
people whose lives have been shattered in more ways than
office, answering calls for assistance or to volunteer. They also one can describe'
wrote letters of thanks to Habitat donors.
• I hadn't considered the continuing plight of our Southern
The next day, the Habitat team headed to the New Orleans
brethren until Susan Loss asked me to step back for a
Botanical Garden to help with plantings. Katrina caused $43
moment and dial into something slipping well under
million in damage and left the park five feet under water.
America's humanitarian radar.
Only tall trees survived.
"Most of the cab drivers, once they realized we were there
For volunteer or donation opportunities, contact the Jewish
to help, lowered our fares as a way of thanks:' Loss said.
Federation of Greater New Orleans: www.jewishnola.com .
The third and fourth days, she and her friend helped
Woldenberg Village older adults with art projects. "They loved
these activities and we so enjoyed working with these feisty
Did you think that the devastation from
seniors:' Loss said. "Many of them had been living in their
Katrina had been all cleaned up?
own homes before Katrina. They were given one hour to pack
a small case and bused to Texas and put up in a hotel."
Has the Jewish community done enough
Many seniors didn't return to New Orleans until December.
to assist in Katrina's aftermath?
Day Five of Loss's visit was spent at the state psychiatric
adolescent hospital, organizing donations ranging from toi-
I
letries and clothing to toys and books. "The staff can now
j
Z E-mail: letters@thejewishnews.com
find age-appropriate gifts and share them with their patients'
parents and siblings:' Loss said.

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June 1 • 2006

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