It has been one week since Hurricane Sandy struck the mainland US. Of course it had struck in the Caribbean first with significant loss of live and property. The meteorologists had this one right. This was a Superstorm, a Frankenstorm of Epic Proportions. I still have friends and relatives who are coping with immeasurable losses. The people I know best seem to be doing precisely that: coping. Many say it could be a lot worse. They are learning how little they need. They would like quicker repairs, shorter gas lines but realize that these are inconveniences. Others have lost much more. Those of us not on the East Coast struggle with what to do, with what to pray.
Abraham Joshua Heschel may have had the prayer piece correct. “Prayer invites God to let God’s presence suffuse our spirits, to let God’s will prevail in our lives. Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields or mend a broken bridge or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart and rebuild a weakened will.” He continued, “Those who rise from prayer better persons, their prayer is answered.” That is what I attempt to do, to use prayer to touch the divine, to keep myself energized and focused on helping mend broken hearts and weakened wills. That energy then helps me direct time and effort to helping with relief efforts. What we learned from Hurricane Katrina, if anything, is that moving goods is costly and slow. Better is to give gifts of cash and gift cards. There are a number of funds now set up to help Hurricane victims. They include the American Red Cross which makes it easy to give by texting from your cell phone. The URJ has a fund set up. USCJ has a fund. Even IRAC, the Israeli Religious Action Center has volunteered to help. The Chicago Jewish Federation has a fund set up. All of these will supply targeted giving with the right things to the feet on the ground. Jewish Women International is collecting books to replace libraries washed out in domestic violence shelters. There is a nice tie in there since November is National Jewish Book Month.
On Sunday I will be giving blood as part of the Congregation Kneseth Israel blood drive. This was set up in advance but the needs are now especially critical, especially in New York. Find a blood drive and give. It is painless (relatively) and doesn’t cost anything besides time. It is a Jewish mitzvah, commandment, to not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds. Do it now.
Then you can go back to praying. I asked a class of seniors living at an assisted living facility what they would pray for the hurricane victims. They didn’t hesitate. That they have strength, patience and a sense of humor. Amen.