By:Jeff Lipton and Andrew Coen
The Five Towns Jewish Council, led by executive director Geri Gindea, is planning a community-wide gathering at Congregation Beth Sholom, Broadway and Washington Avenue in Lawrence, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. "It's an opportunity to unite as a community and express our sadness, and to learn more information about other community efforts to help in the relief," said Gindea. She added that Yoal Moskowitz of Lawrence was instrumental in helping to organize the gathering.
"Initially, it was a shock, but as time goes by, it's increasingly important to help in the relief efforts and give what is needed," Gindea said.
Hewlett High School will lend its support by holding a Tsunami Relief Rally and Fund-raiser this Saturday evening. The event will begin with a flashlight-and-glow-stick vigil on the Hewlett High football field from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The vigil will include speakers and singing, and after a moment of silence, participants will walk a lap of the school's track.
After the vigil, participants will be invited inside the school to dance, swim, play board games, make crafts or buy snacks and hot chocolate, which will be offered as part of the fund-raising effort. The event, which was originally scheduled as a family night before it became part of the fund-raiser, will last until around 9:30 p.m.
"It's really a way for the community to come out and show that we care," said Erin Cullen, Hewlett High School's community services director.
The event is being organized, in part, by Americares, a nonprofit disaster-relief and humanitarian-aid organization that responds to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance. In the event of inclement weather, the rally will be held in the high school gym. For further information, call (516) 374-8164. Meanwhile, donation boxes have been set up in district schools for those unable to attend the event who would like to contribute.
Jeem C'aroenpak, manager of the Thai restaurant Green Papaya on Broadway in Woodmere, said neighborhood residents have called the restaurant to ask how they could donate to relief efforts. Restaurant workers have been giving them contact information for Thailand's Consulate General. "A lot of friends are stopping by to see how things are and say they are worried," said the restaurant's owner, Chonlapdsee Seaumpai. "It is sad, especially during the new year."
The Five Towns Community Center in North Lawrence is providing five barrels of food to monks in Queens, who will ship them to Asia, according to Eon Bailey, president of Jamaicans and Caribbeans for Action at the center. The food was originally gathered to stock an emergency pantry in Jamaica, but it was decided instead to ship it to Asia. "We need to send goodwill to the people in that region," said Bailey, adding that the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County helped the community center organize the effort.
The Chabad of the Five Towns is answering the call for assistance trumpeted by the Chabad of Thailand by also collecting funds to help the victims. "We're clothing and feeding them, saving lives and preventing diseases," said Rabbi Shneur Wolowik of the Chabad of the Five Towns. "The outpouring from the local community has been heartfelt. We know that all 100 percent of what we get will be given to the relief efforts. There's no overhead."
Wolowik said he spoke last week to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, executive director of the Chabad of Thailand. "He's thankful to see that people want to see how they're doing and all the work that is going on over here," Wolowik said. "On one hand, you see the miracles over there, and then you hear about the deaths and the people who have been left penniless. It's a tremendous and sudden tragedy for thousands of people and children over there."
He said that those who wish to donate can send money to the Chabad of the Five Towns Charity Fund, at 74 Maple Ave. in Cedarhurst.
Rabbi Paula Winnig, spiritual leader of Temple Sinai of Long Island in Lawrence, said the temple is collecting funds and making watches for sale, with the proceeds going to the relief effort. "We're overwhelmed with helplessness," said Winnig. "At least raising funds is a way to help."
Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence, said the temple has established Project Safer (Tsunami Aid for Emergency Relief). "Jewish moral law emphatically states: Do not stand idle while your neighbor bleeds," Rosenbaum said. "We are all neighbors in a global village. It is our moral and ethical and human duty to reach out and help those who have suffered and continue to suffer from the tragedy of apocalyptic proportions that has struck the people of the Indian Ocean."
Those who wish to participate in Project Safer may send funds to Temple Israel of Lawrence, 140 Central Ave., with the notation that it is for the relief effort. All funds, Rosenbaum said, will be placed in a special account and will be distributed to the proper relief agencies.
"This will be an ongoing project," he said. "These funds are needed immediately. We hope to make a significant impact in the lives of the poor souls who have so little and now suffer so much. We want to provide clothes and food, and if the requirement comes, we will be reaching out and providing goods as needed."
Rosenbaum said his office has called congregations throughout the Five Towns, asking for assistance, and the response has been positive.
The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway is raising money to contribute to the American Joint Distribution Committee and to the Chabad of Thailand, organizations that distribute funds for the relief efforts. Over the next two weeks, HAFTR will be selling "Shabbat Packages," consisting of a bouquet of flowers and two challots from Zomicks, for $36 per package to raise money.
In a letter to parents of HAFTR students, school administrators and relief effort coordinators wrote, "We are all aware of the tremendous tragedy that has befallen the people of Southeast Asia. The losses are immeasurable, and we feel it is our duty as caring individuals to respond in any way that we can."
Marta Florin, of Woodsburgh, is leading the effort for Action Against Hunger in her community. "It's very important for everybody to help out," she said. "I know a lot of people are too busy with their own personal lives." The organization will focus its relief effort on victims in Sri Lanka. The effort there includes the construction of temporary latrines, trucking in water and the transportation of bodies to hospitals for identification and burial. The effort is mainly geared to preventing an outbreak of disease.
Action Against Hunger is also prepared to respond to a food crisis, caused by flooded crop land.
To make a donation, visit the organization's Web site, www.actionagainsthunger.org, and click on South Asia, or mail a check to Action Against Hunger, 247 W. 37th St., Suite 1201, New York, NY 10018.
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