Tag Archives: loss

Acting Nobly in the Face of Disaster

by

image from msnbc.com

You may or may not be aware that wildfires have been ravaging Texas.  Over 700 homes have been destroyed since last Sunday, and there have been 2 causalities to date.   It is the worst fire season in state history, and though the firefighters are doing a valiant job, the fires are still burning, and weather conditions are perpetuating the blaze.

One girl, whose family lost their home, had an extraordinary reaction to her loss.  She created a Facebook page to help all the victims of the fire.  She’s calling it “The Gift Card Project,” and this is her goal:

This page is an attempt to help while being so far away. If you can afford to purchase a Gift Card for a family in Texas that has lost everything please message this page and an address will be given to you with a requested store for the gift card.My family lost everything and it’s a painful reality that so many are going through right now in Texas. This is an effort to help while I am in NY.

This is truly an amazing reaction to a devastating loss.  She has acted nobly and charitably at a time when it would be completely reasonable to be overwhelmed and immobile.  Instead, she has created a vehicle to help all those who are suffering.  Amazing.

If you’re not on Facebook and would like to help out, contact me and I will forward your email address to her.  Tizku l’mitzvos, and may we all have relief from tragedy very, very soon.

Related Articles:

Please Help a Friend in Need

by

A girl I know from seminary recently lost everything she owns in an apartment fire.  Like, everything.  She came home to see fire trucks parked outside her building, and then the worst-case scenario (you know, the one we all think of when we see fire trucks near our house) came true.  Thank G-d, she is okay, and has a great group of friends who are there to help her, both physically and emotionally.  Her stuff, however, is not okay.

Just imagine what it’s like to not have anything that you just had the day before.  Pictures, posters, books, clothing, furniture, CDs, DVDs, mementos, all those memories.  Then imagine having to replace it all.

If you would like to help out, you can donate here (much thanks to Havah for setting this up so quickly!).  If you’re in the NJ area and would like to help out by donating furniture or whatever, contact me.

Tizku L’mitzvos!

Senselessness and Comfort

by

After what happened this week to that poor little boy, I, and many people that I know, are feeling frustrated and saddened by the senselessness and horror.

These past couple of days I’ve felt guilty for making a small joke, or playing with my boys, or being frustrated by their normal antics.  How is it that I can smile, laugh and enjoy myself, or have the chutzpah to be annoyed with my kids, when there is a family, and indeed, a community, who are utterly devastated right now?

As I was saying brachos and Shemonah Esrei, I was thinking about the words, and wondering why Hashem let this horrible thing happen.  I know that I’m not going to get any answers, or at least any easy ones.  It’s not the kind of news story that just fades away easily.  This has shaken many people on a very fundamental level.  I can’t even really express any of the emotions without resorting to clichés.

Anyways, I wanted to post some links that I found helpful or comforting:

If anyone knows of any additional articles or words of comfort, I would appreciate if you could leave them in the comments section.

Also, please take the time to email a condolence email to the Kletsky family at this address:  Leibykeltsky [dot] letters [at] gmail.com.  They will get the notes to the Kletskys, and are hoping to have over 10,o00 letters before Shabbos.

Have a good Shabbos, everyone, and give your kiddos and  loved ones an extra squeeze in gratitude.

Related articles