This Rosh Hashanah, I am renewing my commitment to Tikkun Olam, to repairing the world. My New Year’s resolution is to sign up to volunteer with Nechama, the Jewish response to disaster.
When there are floods in Northern Minnesota, tornadoes in Wisconsin, or hurricanes across the South, the Twin Cities-based Nechama mobilizes Jews from across Minnesota to prevent the waters from rising, clean up the wreckage, and help families rebuild.
Nechama offers help to all people regardless of religious affiliation. They do not ask “Who are you?” but rather “How can we help?” They work shoulder-to-shoulder with homeowners in urban and rural areas, generally providing help to the most vulnerable: the elderly, the poor, single parents, and people with disabilities or other health problems. Nechama offers its services free of charge and does not solicit donations from persons helped.
Don’t believe me? Listen to the story of one of the people Nechama has helped.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldd9q3k7cfg
Next time there is – God forbid – a natural disaster in Minnesota, I want to be on the emergency email list that Nechama contacts seeking help for a day, a weekend, a week.
Join me in taking the five minutes now to register for Nechama’s volunteer corps.
