2025 was a year of remarkable growth for NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster. We began the year by moving into the rebuilding phase of recovery for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, all made possible through the generous support of our donors.

After almost 14 months of recovery work, we have achieved the following in Western North Carolina:

  • Over 1,000 unique volunteers joined our sites
  • 13,500+ volunteer hours, valued at over $450,000
  • Partnered with delegations from 60+ organizations on our sites

We are proud of the progress made and the comfort (the Hebrew meaning of NECHAMA) we provided to those in need. If you haven’t already seen it, I encourage you to watch this brief snapshot of our Helene deployment, graciously sponsored by the Leon Levine Foundation.
A group from Lutheran Disaster Recovery that joined us in Western North Carolina

Our mission, however, extended beyond disaster recovery. NECHAMA has long represented a Jewish presence in the areas where we serve. This identity has helped us build bridges across faiths, educate clients, partners, and volunteers, and counter antisemitism through action.

We have embraced that role more intentionally than ever. This year, we launched both a Jewish Education & Engagement initiative and a Combating Antisemitism project, achieving significant milestones in each.

  • We hosted a Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) event with the North Carolina Council of Churches.
  • We organized an interfaith Good Deeds Day relief project at a synagogue in Hendersonville, NC.
  • Together with an Asheville-based environmental organization, we gathered volunteers for a Reverse Tashlich river cleanup.
  • Most recently, NECHAMA spearheaded a nationwide Resilience Shabbat that brought together over 100 synagogues and churches across the country!

We have also engaged in strategic planning to plot our course for the next several years. Moving forward, in addition to these two projects, our other major priorities include:

  • Becoming much better known in both Jewish and non-Jewish communities.
  • Doubling our operational footprint to mount two significant deployments simultaneously.
  • Focusing on mitigation and preparation to help minimize future disasters.
  • Significantly expanding the number of volunteers we engage.

Will you help build NECHAMA’s future by donating today? Your contribution provides comfort to survivors of natural disasters, tangibly fuels our vehicles, and supports Jewish continuity in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you for your continued generosity,

Stephan Kline
CEO, NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster

P.S. A generous Pittsburgh family foundation will match $20,000 in donations:
1:1 for new donations
2:1 for increased donations from returning donors
3:1 for new recurring (monthly or quarterly) commitments

P.P.S. Consider making your year-end gift to NECHAMA from your Donor-Advised Fund or take advantage of the tax free Qualified Charitable Distribution (from your IRA). We can also accept gifts of appreciated securities, allowing you to forgo paying taxes on capital gains. Finally, please ask your employer if your company will match your contribution to NECHAMA.

 

Updates / Funding