Temple Beth El's Hurricane and Hunger Relief Response

Charlotte Jewish News, December 2024

By Madeline White

Every High Holiday season, LIBERTY, our Temple Beth El teen youth group, steps up to lead our congregation and community in tikkun olam, or repairing the world. This year, as Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of Western North Carolina, LIBERTY transformed its annual High Holiday Hunger Relief Project into a disaster relief and hunger relief drive. Beginning at Rosh HaShanah and running through Simchat Torah, the project became a powerful expression of our community’s dedication to helping those in need.

Guided by the values of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam, LIBERTY channeled the teachings of the High Holidays into meaningful action, reminding us all of our sacred responsibility to care for those in need. LIBERTY president, Jocelyn Siegel, shared a powerful message during Erev Rosh HaShanah services, calling us to action. “Millions of people were left without basic needs such as water, electricity, or even a place to live,” she said. “As a community, LIBERTY is hoping to raise $12,000 to support organizations that provide relief to towns struck by disaster and those doing this important work.” This year’s project supports both immediate disaster relief and long-term food security, with donations directed to Second Harvest

Food Bank, Jewish Family Services, Nechama: Jewish Response to Hunger, Asheville’s Congregation Beth HaTephila, and the Asheville Jewish Community Center. Together, our Temple Beth El community has raised over $30,000 so far, deepening our commitment to care for our local community and extending our support to those impacted by the hurricane. On behalf of Temple Beth El and LIBERTY, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported this year’s project. Your generosity has transformed this season of reflection into one of action. Through this, we fulfill our sacred responsibility to cultivate connected, meaningful Jewish living and create real change in our world.