JULY 1 • 2021 | 31
Services of South Florida and
Mishkan Miami: The Jewish
Connection for Spiritual
Support, are providing financial
assistance, chaplaincy support,
crisis counseling and social ser-
vices to people impacted by the
tragedy. They have established
a fund to help with expenses,
and Jewish federations elsewhere
have been sharing that link with
their members.
The Young Israel of Bal
Harbour and The Shul of Bal
Harbour were serving as col-
lection sites for much-needed
supplies for the families of those
missing and for people who have
been displaced. Because of the
massive outpouring of support,
they are no longer collecting
specific items, though emergency
funds are being raised to help
with financial needs.
More than a dozen kosher
restaurants in the area have been
delivering meals for the emer-
gency personnel, volunteers and
relocated families, as well as to
the family reunification center.
While much focus has been
placed on ways people can
help those most affected by the
disaster — donating to various
charities set up to the help the
victims, praying, reaching out
to friends and family who may
be impacted — Chai Lifeline
points out that people also have
to check in with their own fam-
ily, particularly how children are
handling the news, even if they
don’t live anywhere near Surfside
and are not directly connected to
events there.
“When crises strike, it’s only
natural to react with feelings of
fear, confusion and helplessness,
”
said Chai Lifeline CEO Rabbi
Simcha Scholar. “
Addressing the
worries of our children can be a
particular challenge, but it’s crit-
ical that we provide them with
accurate information alongside a
sense of real security and ample
space to express their feelings.
”
To that end, Chai Lifeline’s
Project Chai is making available
tips and guidelines on “Helping
Friends and Family in Times
of Loss” and“How to Talk With
Children During a Crisis.
” The
Project Chai Crisis Intervention
Team also has a 24-hour cri-
sis hotline for people directly
impacted by the collapse.
JEWISH SUPPORT
Additionally, Jewish groups have
been expressing general senti-
ments of support to those on the
frontlines.
“
As an organization ded-
icated to healing the world,
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist
Organization of America Inc.,
sends its support and sympathy
to the families impacted by the
tragic condominium collapse in
Surfside, Miami,
” said Hadassah’s
national president Rhoda
Smolow and executive director/
CEO Janice Weinman in a joint
statement. “Our prayers go to
those missing with the hope that
they will be rescued quickly, and
to those injured, we extend our
hope for a speedy recovery. Our
sincerest condolences to those
who have lost loved ones. May
their memory be for a blessing!”
Agudath Israel of America
noted that “this is a time for ach-
dus [‘unity’] and tefillah [‘prayer’]
for the safety of those still
trapped. Our hearts go out for
those lost, injured and for those
still awaiting news of their rel-
atives’ status.
” The organization
also included a listing of missing
individuals and a request for
people to pray for them.
Agudath’s South Florida
director, Rabbi Moshe Matz,
added, “Our office has fielded
many calls of concerned family
members and friends search-
ing for information about their
loved ones, for guidance and for
support. The pain and fear is
heartbreaking, and we share in
their sorrow. As the hours and
days ahead continue to bring
many challenges and show the
significant needs that will need
to be met for the survivors and
their families, we must remain
engaged and focused.
”
In its statement, the National
Council of Young Israel said,
“We hope and pray that the
dedicated first responders at the
scene are able to locate additional
survivors, and we extend our
heartfelt condolences to those
families who have sadly lost
loved ones. The Jewish commu-
nity has endured far too many
calamities over the past year, and
we encourage everyone to engage
in prayer and perform acts of
benevolence with the hope that
we will be spared from any fur-
ther hardship.
“We urge people to give what
they can to those individuals
and families whose lives have
been impacted by this horrible
catastrophe,
” the statement con-
tinued. “They need our love and
support, and it behooves all of us
to be there for them.
”
ISRAELI AID
Israel has sent an elite IDF engi-
neering team to Florida to help
in recovery efforts.
The delegation will assist in
rescue efforts by mapping out
the disaster site, identifying
victims and survivors, and sup-
porting local rescue forces, the
military said in a statement. The
delegation is being led by Col.
(res.) Golan Vach, commander
of the National Rescue Unit in
the IDF Home Front Command,
and includes Foreign Ministry
representative Guy Giladi, Israel’s
former Deputy Consul General
in Miami.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett spoke with Florida Gov.
Ron DeSantis on Saturday eve-
ning, conveying condolences on
behalf of the Israeli public.
Israel stands by the U.S. at this
difficult time, said Bennett, add-
ing that everyone is praying for
the well-being of the wounded.
The premier added that he had
instructed all Israeli government
agencies to render whatever
assistance may be requested.
TOP: Israeli Consul-General of Miami Maor Elbaz Starinsky speaking
with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 25. BOTTOM: An IDF search-
and-rescue team arrives at the site of the deadly high-rise residential
building collapse in Surfside, Fla.
ISRAELI CONSUL-GENERAL MIAMI/TWITTER/JNS
GIORGIO VIERA/ AFP/TIMES OF ISRAEL