CHABAD IN THE NEWS
California Jews pull together as wildfires ravage homes
By Michal Lando, Jerusalem Post
"...On Tuesday morning, rabbis and Jewish leaders joined in a conference call to determine how to address the needs of the 100,000 Jews in the San Diego area, many of whom were affected by the fires...Meanwhile, Chabad centers were working day and night to service the community. Four centers were designated shelters, offering food and lodging, but two have since been evacuated... Rabbi Levi Raskin, representative to Chabad of Rancho Santa Fe, removed all the Torah scrolls and computer files from the Chabad center before they had to evacuate, and called people in his community early Monday morning to warn them of evacuations..."We didn't expect this to come our way, but everyone is doing what they can," said Raskin. "
For complete article click here: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1192380622352
Calm, Orderly -if anxious- stadium vigil. Sharp contrast to Superdome.
By: Kirsten Scharnberg, Chicago Tribune
"...Chabad, a Jewish organization, was serving kosher food to displaced residents as well as Jewish members of the California National Guard on patrol in the stadium...Rabbi Levi Raskin said he had been overwhelmed by how calm everything had remained in California during an exodus of people displaced from their homes that was estimated to be comparable to New Orleans' catastrophe. "There was great concern, but no great panic," he said. He even laughed at the massage tables and acupuncture services. "It's California," he joked. "Face-lifts will be available here tomorrow."
For complete article, click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-firesceneoct25,1,5550242.story?page=2&cset=true&ctrack=2
Aid for Jews fleeing blaze
By Marc Shoffman, Totally Jewish.com
"...Rabbi Raskin was evacuated with his wife and eight-month old daughter from Santa Fe after the fires began on Monday. Before leaving he called Jews in the area to warn them of the situation...He said: “We were told to evacuate and take anything important. You have a moment to think what is important to you. We took the holy books from the synagogue, computer files and anything precious.”...Chabad groups are also providing kosher food at a makeshift shelter inside San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium where many of the thousands of evacuees have been sheltered. Raskin added: “We had a mobile kitchen at the stadium offering kosher food for Jews and non-Jews. Chabad centres are offering meals for anybody in the community...“We are keeping in close contact with the elderly to make sure they are okay and with their families. We are at the front line of the relief efforts.”
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http://www.totallyjewish.com