Mitchell Northam reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
As hotels across metro Atlanta continue to fill up, evacuees from Hurricane Irma will be looking for a place to lay their head during the storm.
In north Fulton County, a synagogue has opened its doors to folks who fled their homes.
Channel 2 Action News spoke with Rabbi Isser New of the Beth Tefillah Congregation in Sandy Springs. Leaders at the synagogue have been coordinating places for evacuees to stay by using emails and online forums.
“There are moments in time when people need you. Who are we if we’re not there when people need us?” he told Channel 2. “The Jewish tradition preaches all 613 commandments are equivalent to the commandment Tzedakah, which is charity.”
The Rabbi told Chabad.org that the Chabad of Georgia started getting calls earlier this week for folks looking for places to stay.
One volunteer who has stepped up is Danielle Seligmann. She told Channel 2 she can take up to eight guests, plus she has room for pets. She added that she sees this as an opportunity to help and meet new people.
“It’s a huge blessing to help,” she told Channel 2.
In the synagogue’s kosher kitchen, caterer Robin Varon was busy stocking up on canned and other non-perishable goods. Varon said they are preparing for 100 people.
“We have an influx of people from Florida coming,” she told Channel 2.
The congregation told Channel 2 that it will “find a way” to welcome “whoever” needs their help.
VIDEO:
The MO community truly had amazing hospitality it was wonderful to see such ahavas yisroel on all parts.
Not to mention Beth Jacob and young Israel which hosted over 1000 sleeping guests this past shabbos!! And the 18 wheeler truck that the OU sent in from NY with $25,000 worth of food for the Friday night and shabbos meal at Beth jacob for all the evacuees. Southern hospitality!
A shout out to Rickelle and Yale from Chevra Ahavas Yisroel for welcoming Hurricane Irma refugees despite having a major event this Sunday.
Lots of Hatzlocho with your friendship circle. walk. You guys deaerve the best!!!!
That’s so nice to see a Chabad House open it’s doors at a time like this. True Kiddush Hashem! Keep it up
Missing from this story is the tremendous mesiras nefesh of Rabbi Yossi Lew from Chabad of Peachtree who hosted around 50 guests this past Shabbos.
All Jewish communities coordinated and opened up their homes to complete strangers in this crazy time. It’s amazing to see how we all come together in this time regardless of background. Even non Jews have reached out to offer help throughout my journey from Miami to Atlanta. The acts of kindness from all walks of life and religions have been truly amazing and have opened up eyes,
מי כעמך ישראל!
What a kiddush hashem!
what ahavas yisroel, not easy to do this and host so many people!!!