Chabad distributes OU disaster-relief funds in Oklahoma

$15,000 used for store gift cards and cash relief to help homeless

29 May 2013, 2:20 pm

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Searchers rest from operations after the tornado in Moore, Oaklahoma, on, Monday, May 20, 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo/The Oklahoman, David McDaniel)

JTA — Chabad distributed some $15,000 in disaster-relief funds provided by the Orthodox Union to Oklahomans affected by the recent devastating tornado.

The money distributed by the Chabad Community Center of Southern Oklahoma over the Memorial Day weekend was used for store gift cards and cash relief to help residents whose homes were destroyed by the May 21 tornado that struck Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City, according to Chabad.org. The tornado killed 24 and destroyed or damaged 2,400 homes.

“On behalf of those here in Oklahoma who will receive this help, my thanks go to all of the OU members and friends who were so generous in a time of real need,” said Rabbi Ovadia Goldman, director of the Chabad center.

The money was collected in OU synagogues and via social networking.

Chabad, which opened its center as a shelter, has been collecting and distributing supplies for displaced families and the elderly.