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Rabbi organizes cleanup

Thursday, 28 May, 2015 - 11:07 am

 by Jewish Herald-Voice

Photo courtesy of Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff

Working tirelessly to clean up Inna Kalnitsky s Meyer Grove apartment are volunteer Shannon Martin, with Inna Kalnitsky (apartment owner), and volunteers Noa Iolin-Deutsch, Karen Nudelman, Jonathan Hersh and Tim Corwin.

By LISA BROOKS | For the JHV
Thu, May 28, 2015
Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff of Chabad of Uptown wanted to help do something for Houstonians affected by the flood. He headed to the United Orthodox Synagogues neighborhood on Wednesday, May 27. The first person he encountered was Daniel Agranov, consul general of Israel. Agranov was looking for help to clear his home of damaged contents.

In 30 minutes, Rabbi Lazaroff returned with a couple of day laborers, and the work began. Together, with nine volunteers, they cleared four Willow Meadows homes and two Meyer Grove apartments, located at 4605 N. Braeswood Blvd., at 610 West Loop.

Rabbi Lazaroff s Facebook posts motivated Karen Nudelman to join the efforts at the apartments. Nudelman told the JHV, I think every single first-floor apartment in this complex was hit by the flood waters. One of the apartments I helped clear had the water line up to my hip, and I m not a short person by any means!

One apartment belonged to a family with young children. They were planning to move back to Israel soon, and they lost essentially everything. 

To see the looks on their faces, when it is explained that things made of certain materials are not salvageable, even if it dries out, and to see the struggles they are going through is heartbreaking, said Nudelman, who worked side by side with volunteer Jonathan Hersh in the afternoon.

Rabbi Lazaroff told the JHV that a helper list is circulating to organize volunteers to help with very basic needs kosher meals, help with laundry, and even preparation for Shabbat. The helper list was a coordinated effort by Jenelle Eisenstein Garner, member of United Orthodox Synagogues, and members of the Young Israel and Congregation Beth Rambam community, Etan and Sarah Golubtchik and Jennifer Barnes. Barnes son goes to Torah Day Day. She told the JHV that she is also the point person for the Chabad community. 

Sitting behind a desk, I was getting nowhere. I decided to get out and help and do what little I could, the rabbi said.

The community may donate to the Chabad victim-relief fund atchabadhouston.com/donate.
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