L4 Cares team assists in Central Texas flood recovery efforts. Courtesy: L4 Cares

By Wendy Goodman

When devastating floods swept across Central Texas beginning in the early morning hours of July 4, destroying homes, disrupting livelihoods and displacing hundreds, Jewish communities responded with urgency and compassion.

Within hours of the first reports, Shalom Austin launched an online donation form for Texas flood relief, creating an immediate pathway for community members and organizations across the country to provide support, including Texas Jewish Federations, Jewish Federations of North America and Jewish institutional partners across Greater Austin, Central Texas and nationally.

The response was extraordinary. As of August 14, $804,000 was received from nearly 3,200 donors across 43 states, accompanied by heartfelt messages expressing solidarity with those affected. Simultaneously, Shalom Austin coordinated a flood relief drive at the Dell Jewish Community Campus, where individuals and families donated essential supplies such as bottled water, electrolyte drinks and a chain saw. Volunteers worked in shifts to sort and package the items, preparing them for distribution directly to flood-affected areas.

The Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service Food Pantry also collected packages of essential food and hygiene supplies, which was delivered to flood-affected areas.

Comprehensive Services for Recovery

Recognizing that the impact of a disaster extends far beyond the loss of property, Shalom Austin mobilized its network to address both immediate and long-term needs. In addition to distributing emergency supplies and financial assistance, Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service offered free counseling sessions to children and adults, case management services including emergency housing and financial assistance. These services aimed to restore not only stability but also dignity and hope.

Establishing a Flood Relief Task Force

Understanding that responsible stewardship of the funds received was essential, Shalom Austin formed the Texas Flood Relief Campaign Allocations Task Force. Composed of volunteers from the Greater Austin community and Jewish Federation representatives across Texas, the task force is charged with carefully and intentionally allocating funds to maximize their impact – while making certain each decision is guided responsibly, rooted in compassion and Jewish values.

The task force quickly identified a group of vetted organizations to receive emergency grants totaling 20% of the raised funds including: Ark of the Highland Lakes, Austin Disaster Relief Network, CADENA, Community Foundation of Central Texas, L4 Cares, Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service, UT Health San Antonio/Kerrville Fire Department.

“We are the humanitarian arm of Jewish communities around the world, providing aid to all people, guided by the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Just days after the floods in Central Texas, we deployed our search and rescue team to support those affected in any way we could. Thanks to the generous grant from the Shalom Austin Flood Relief Campaign, we are now able to return and continue helping with the vital work of reconstruction and rebuilding,” said the CADENA team.

“We are so grateful to partner with volunteers, donors, and everyday heroes who make it possible for us to care for others in their most vulnerable moments,” said Kendra Cofer, founder of L4 Cares.

Chabad of Boerne Responds Swiftly On-the- Ground

In the aftermath of the devastating floods, Chabad of Boerne – though spared from severe damage themselves – moved quickly to help their neighbors. Founded in 2022 by Rabbi Yossi and Malkie Marrus, the organization is based close to the hardest-hit areas in Kerr County. Within hours of the first reports, after checking in with local community members, Rabbi Marrus was emailing and calling local agencies, City Council members, volunteer networks and other relief groups seeking ways to help.

This outreach forged a variety of partnerships including with Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member Ty Wolosin, Bunker Branding, Rabbi Avraham Berkowitz and local police officer Jeff Grossman.

Rabbi Marrus raised critical funds for emergency supplies, optimized the Chabad of Boerne website to receive donations, gained access to flood zone areas and assessed needs firsthand. Working side-by-side with relief teams, Rabbi Marrus not only led and coordinated the delivery of aid but also served as chaplain – offering support, comfort and prayers to those affected by the flood.

“Every place I went, I let them know that these donations that I am dispersing are on behalf of the Jewish community locally, in Israel and everywhere else. People were very touched,” Rabbi Marrus said. “If I can contribute in some way, to shift mindsets and share the message that Jewish people are good people and we care, then that is the greatest mitzvah that I can do.”

Eliashar Family’s Story of Resilience

Among those impacted by the floods were the Eliashar family, engaged members of the Austin Jewish community. In the early morning hours of July 5, when floodwaters tore through the city of Jonestown, Crissy Eliashar was awakened by her neighbor, Matthew, shouting for her to get out.

Eliashar grabbed her three children, ages 12, 10 and 7, along with her son’s friend, age 12, who was sleeping over, and their dog, and followed the sound of Matthew’s voice through the waist-deep water to higher ground – while nearly being washed away by the raging waters.

Eliashar’s husband was at work in Austin at the time of the flood.

The family lost nearly all of their possessions, but they credit the outpouring of community support for giving them the strength to move forward.

“This community jumped into action immediately, specifically Academy where my children go to school,” Eliashar said. “As soon as they could, those moms were in their boots mucking out our house. These amazing women saved our kids’ treasures, hosed down those muddy treasures and washed for days. They have given me homes to shelter, cars to borrow, took my kids to outings, and researched aid agencies to apply for everything. The list of things that these women have done daily has been the lifeline to my sanity and our family’s recovery.”

Thanks to the community, the Eliashar family’s GoFundMe campaign raised more than $115,000, which will be used to purchase a new home.

On August 8, Austin Jewish Academy’s Summer KabShab Get-Together collected needed supplies and donations for the Eliashar family.

The Eliashar family has also been supported by Congregation Agudas Achim as well as Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service case management helping them get back on their feet and answering urgent needs.

“It’s hard to ask for help, but we will continue to need it. There’s no way we can do it on our own, and we are so grateful for the community’s support,” Eliashar said.

Commitment to Recovery

Shalom Austin remains committed to supporting the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the affected communities. The Texas Flood Relief Campaign Allocations Task Force continues to meet regularly to review progress, assess ongoing needs and plan for additional grants.

“Our community has shown remarkable generosity and resilience. Raising more than three quarters of a million dollars in such a short period of time was extraordinary, but our responsibility now is to use those funds wisely to rebuild lives, restore dignity, and strengthen the bonds that define our mission. As the state continues its path toward recovery, the legacy of this response will not be measured solely in dollars raised or supplies delivered, but in the lives restored and the hope renewed by standing together in times of crisis,” said Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus.

Organizations can apply for Shalom Austin Flood Relief funds at shalomaustin.org/texas-flood-relief.