Project Tzohar: September 9, 2005

Money continues to pour into United Synagogue's relief fund; our members clearly are moved deeply by the plight of the hurricane's victims. We are touched by what that shows about our members' commitment to Jewish values.

Relief agencies need money more than anything else - they repeat that material goods, stuff, often lies unused until it turns into junk, but money easily is turned into stuff. They had also requested large shipments of half-gallon resealable plastic bags filled with toiletries. Congregation Brith Shalom in Bellaire, Texas, led an effort to put together those bags, which should hold a tooth brush, a regular-size tube of toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and a travel-size pack of wet wipes. They have packed and sent thousand of bags.

Thanks to Gayle Brill Mittler, a member of the United Synagogue's social action and public policy committee, health-product manufacturer Johnson and Johnson has arranged to donate a large shipment of supplies for the bags. For information on joining that effort, email Ms. Mittler at gbm52@yahoo.com.

But please keep in mind that what is needed more than anything else is money.

Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has raised $21,000; the congregation plans to assemble 2,100 bags of toiletries and get it shipped down to Houston.

We know that Beth Sholom is just one of many Conservative synagogues raising money and doing whatever else it can to help. If your USCJ congregation has results to report, please email them to info@uscj.org.

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