Sandy Hook, Sandy and the politics of learned helplessness

By Marty Kaplan
Published on December 16, 2012

"We have got to get Michelle to make this her priority."

Chanukah lessons in a post-Sandy world

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on December 5, 2012

Late last month, I was in Breezy Point, the isolated beachfront neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., that has become an iconic image for the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Weeks after Sandy, enormity of human and economic costs are becoming clear

Published on November 20, 2012

Kenny Vance's multimillion-dollar beach house has stood proudly on the Long Island shore and weathered all manner of storms since 1916. Then came Sandy.

Israeli volunteers head to N.Y. to help in Sandy relief efforts

Published on November 14, 2012

A delegation of Israeli volunteers is on its way to the New York area to assist the Jewish community in the wake of superstorm Sandy.

Berlin’s Jewish community offering help for Sandy victims

Published on November 6, 2012

A Jewish woman in Berlin with family in hard-hit Staten Island, N.Y., started a clothing drive for those affected by superstorm Sandy.

Peres sends letter to Obama in wake of Sandy

Published on November 1, 2012

Israeli President Shimon Peres expressed sympathy and friendship on behalf of the people of Israel to President Obama in the wake of superstorm Sandy.

Where was God When Hurricane Sandy Struck?

By Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Published on October 31, 2012

What was G-d thinking when he sent Hurricane Sandy and what could have been its purpose?

Tree felled by Sandy kills Jewish teacher, college student

Published on October 31, 2012

Two young Jews were killed in Brooklyn by a falling tree during superstorm Sandy.

Jewish community bears impact of Hurricane Sandy

Published on October 30, 2012

Less than a year into her job at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, N.Y., Rabbi Debbie Bravo sounded remarkably poised as she and her community faced one of their most powerful challenges together: Hurricane Sandy.

East Coast crippled by massive storm, death toll climbs

Published on October 30, 2012

Millions of people were left reeling in the aftermath of the whipping winds and heavy rains of the massive storm Sandy on Tuesday as New York City and many parts of the eastern United States struggled with epic flooding and extensive power outages.

Flights between Israel and U.S. delayed due to Sandy

Published on October 30, 2012

Flights between Israel and the United States continue to be delayed as superstorm Sandy continues to batter America's northeast coast.

Jewish institutions remain closed due to Sandy

Published on October 30, 2012

Jewish institutions throughout the eastern United States remained closed following the onslaught of superstorm Sandy.

New Orleans Jewish institutions remain closed in face of tropical storm Isaac

Published on August 30, 2012

New Orleans Jewish institutions remained closed Thursday as the region continued to bear the torrential rains and winds of a new massive storm.

New Orleans Jewish institutions remain closed in face of tropical storm Isaac

Published on August 30, 2012

New Orleans Jewish institutions remained closed Thursday as the region continued to bear the torrential rains and winds of a new massive storm.

Hurricane Irene takes a toll on Jewish community with three deaths, but institutions spared

Published on August 29, 2011

For some in the Jewish community, Hurricane Irene was a soggy inconvenience.

Borough Park woman vacationing in Catskills killed in Irene

Published on August 29, 2011

A Borough Park woman is among the at least 16 killed by Hurricane Irene's six-state onslaught.

Irene downgraded as four million without power

Published on August 28, 2011

At least four million people are without power and nine dead in the United States in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm.

New York takes unprecedented steps ahead of Irene

Published on August 26, 2011

New York City on Friday ordered the evacuation of more than 250,000 people and prepared to shut down its entire mass transit system, both unprecedented measures ahead of the expected battering from Hurricane Irene.

Destroyed New Orleans synagogue to break ground

Published on April 16, 2010

A New Orleans synagogue destroyed by Hurricane Katrina will break ground on a new building.

UJC seeks donations for hurricane victims

Published on September 16, 2008

United Jewish Communities has set up donation drive for hurricane victims

Realities of poverty and devastation in the Katrina-affected Gulf are still unchanged

By Mitchell A. Kamin
Published on June 7, 2007

Having participated in the Milken Conference in April and traveled to Plaquemines two weeks later, I was struck by the chasm between the viewpoints expressed in these two locales, a divide that I believe underscores one of the most significant challenges to full and meaningful recovery for the Gulf region.

Rebuilding New Orleans—With A Little Help From Each Other

By Gail Naron Chalew
Published on August 24, 2006

One year after "the storm," as New Orleanians refer to Hurricane Katrina, Jewish communal leaders describe the health of the community with certain expected terms -- loss, trauma, devastation and challenge.

Building Homes, Building Hope

By Rabbi Mark S. Diamond
Published on May 25, 2006

The prophet Isaiah asks: "What is the house which you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest?" (Isaiah 66:1). In the days following the Easter and Passover holidays, 41 Angelenos traveled to the Gulf Coast to translate their faith into action. We were rabbis and pastors, African Americans and Jewish Americans, high school seniors and senior adults, synagogue and church members from 12 Los Angeles congregations who rebuilt homes in Gulfport, Miss.

The Road to Mississippi

By Sophia Kamran
Published on May 4, 2006

Driving through the deserted streets of New Orleans, we peered through the windows of our charter bus and watched as we drove past miles of destroyed homes. As we approached our destination, Waveland, Miss., the houses became increasingly tattered and decayed; on some lots, only kitchen floors remained. As we approached the shore and our worksite came into view, the entire bus was silenced by the broad stretches of land where only the scattered debris of homes remained.

The Circuit

By Norma Zager
Published on April 27, 2006

Circuit events news.

Class Notes - Hurricane Heroes

By Julie G Fax
Published on October 6, 2005

Sarah Rose Isenberg had a sure-fire marketing plan and a product no one could object to.

The Year Ahead

By Abby Gilad
Published on September 29, 2005

Kids Page

We Must Condemn Heartless Bilge

By Rabbi David Wolpe
Published on September 15, 2005

"It is not in our hands to explain the prosperity of the wicked or even the sufferings of the righteous." So said Rabbi Yannai in the Mishna some 2,000 years ago. The Talmud (Kiddushin 39b) insists "there is no reward for mitzvot in this world." We have had a long time to read and understand the Book of Job, and we know that the calculus of reward and punishment is more perplexing and agonizing than we can know.

Than we can know, but not, apparently, than Rav Ovadiah Yosef, a former chief rabbi of Israel, can know. Rav Ovadiah is an ilui, a genius of halacha.

His memory is astonishing, his range remarkable. Unfortunately, his theology is appalling.

Fundraiser to Benefit Storm Victims

Published on September 15, 2005

Fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina

Nation & World Briefs

Published on September 1, 2005

The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh (UJF) has established a mailbox to accept donations for humanitarian aid for members of the Jewish and general communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Western Florida.

Yom Kippur During Hurricane Georges

Published on July 30, 1998

"I was reading about the mighty tempest that came up from the sea," Grishman said. "And then here it was, blowing right up my street. It all felt very real this year."