Long Island Kosher Disaster Shelter

West Hempstead High School was designated as a kosher disaster evacuation shelter — the first of its kind in Nassau County – in January 2011 by the Red Cross.

 

The Long Island Herald reported on January 12, 2011:

The American Red Cross recently designated a local school as an evacuation shelter that caters to the cultural needs of the Jewish community.

West Hempstead High School is now a kosher disaster evacuation shelter — the first of its kind in Nassau County — created specifically for the very large orthodox community of the Five Towns area, which is particularly vulnerable to flooding in the event of a major hurricane. The school was designated as such in mid-December, after the Red Cross reached out to district officials to propose the idea.

“It’s out of the flood area,” said Red Cross spokesman Sam Kille. “It also is close to the evacuation route that comes from the Five Towns — Peninsula Boulevard — so those were the key factors.”…

Comments

[WestHempstead]

Kudoos to the American Red Cross.

I am sure the Jewish community here will open its arms.

We have 4 Modern Ortho and 1 Conservative synagogue here.

I am sure our kosher restsauraunts and the local yeshiva kitchen will kick in and help.

[Jake]

Shmarya thanks for looking this up and posting it

[A. Nuran]

Good for the Red Cross for doing this and Shmarya for posting it

[mimi]

Even better, I know that in some high schools, a large family has gotten a classroom of their own to better contain the little ones.

[longwave]

In the last storm, the West Hempstead community got together and hosted many families from the 5 Towns.
The Young Israel 'cancelled' all minyonim, but people that live close to the shul will have a minyan. Rabbi Kelemer sent out emails saying that he will say Kaddish for those who cannot come to shul.
Hurricane Gloria - many years ago - the community really got together and helped each other. No questions - just whatever you needed was available.

Rabbi Kelemer said that on Shabbat and Yomtov - if we see a downed wire, we are required to be mechalel Shabbat to call it in. Let me see them do that in Monsey or Williamsburg!!

[spacedout BT]

After the "Putzville" and Shevach fiasco this is a Kosher disaster I can relate to!

[Yochanan Lavie]

It's a shelter for Kosher disasters, such as finding out the milk is cholov stam hechsher rather than cholov yisroel. You'll need another place to stay.

[WestHempsteader]

Address of kosher shelter is 40 Nassau Blvd West Hempstead ,NY.

The kitchen will be kashered and kosher food provided.

rabbi Kelemer is seeking volunteer mashgichim, male or female for a minimum of 1 hour shifts.

All minyanim in the Young Israel of West Hempstead are cancelled until further notice.

anyone who is saying kaddish (11 months) or has a yahrtzeit can call Rabbi Kelemer who will say kaddish.Provide deceaseds Hebrew and mothers name.

Rabbi Kelemer (516) 965-5499.