Texas Flood Relief | Shalom Austin

November 25, 2026

Your Generosity in Action: Flood Relief Impact Report

Dear Friends,

In the months since our neighbors and communities in Central Texas faced devastating floods, you stepped forward with generosity, compassion, and unwavering support — thank you!

Your gifts to the Flood Relief Campaign brought immediate relief to those who lost homes, belongings, and stability — and your kindness continues to help families and individuals rebuild.

We’re pleased to share our Flood Relief Impact Report, which outlines how your contributions were allocated and the difference it made on the ground. Because of donors like you, families and individuals received emergency financial assistance, food and essential supplies, temporary housing support, mental health resources, and case management for long-term recovery.

Here are just a few of the voices from those you helped:

“We’ve witnessed homes swept from their foundations and families clinging to survival — and yet, we’ve also seen the strength of community and the healing power of compassion. Because of you, we’re not just delivering supplies — we’re delivering hope.” – Kendra Cofer, Founder of L4 Cares
“With support from Shalom Austin, the Department of Emergency Health Sciences (EHS) has been able to pivot from crisis to care by facilitating the delivery of mental health tools to first responders in the KFD [Kerrville Fire Department]. This support enables them to access behavioral health resources through an app customized to meet their needs.” – Jeffrey Rollman, EHS faculty, UT Health San Antonio
“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.” – Iris Epschtein, International Communications Director, CADENA

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

L’Shalom,

Phil Loewy
Shalom Austin Board Chair

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Shalom Austin CEO

Jewish Communinities Mobilize for Texas Flood Relief

Read more about our flood relief efforts in the September 2025 issue of The Jewish Outlook. Click here to read more.

August 15, 2025

Dear Community,

Our commitment to those most affected by the Central Texas flood continues. We are writing to you today with heart-felt gratitude and hope as we share an update on our flood relief.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, as of August 14, we’ve received $804,000 from nearly 3,200 donors in 43 states to help our neighbors on their road to recovery. Your donations have already made a significant impact. Our Texas Flood Relief Campaign Allocations Task Force continues to meet regularly to assess and identify ongoing needs.

With our initial round of emergency grants, we distributed 20% of the fund total as of July 21 to the following vetted organizations:

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

One of our grantees, L4 Cares, sent us a few photos (included below) showing their incredible work and shared this inspiring quote:

“We’ve witnessed homes swept from their foundations and families clinging to survival—and yet, we’ve also seen the strength of community and the healing power of compassion. Because of you, we’re not just delivering supplies—we’re delivering hope.” — Kendra Cofer, Founder of L4 Cares

Shabbat Shalom,

Phil Loewy
Shalom Austin Board Chair

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Shalom Austin CEO

August 1, 2025

Dear Community,

In the weeks since the devastating floods, our community has come together in remarkable ways—donating funds, supplies, time and energy. We’ve been moved by your generosity and compassion, and we are proud to share how your support is already making an impact.

As of this morning, we’ve received $760,046 from 3,106 donors across 43 states for the Shalom Austin Flood Relief Campaign. Every dollar represents hope, care and a commitment to helping our neighbors recover and rebuild.

Our dedicated task force of volunteers from the Greater Austin Jewish community and Federation representatives across Texas is pleased to announce that the first round, which involves 20% of funding allocations, will immediately go to the following organizations touching all major flood-affected areas in the Hill Country and across Central Texas:

Ark of the Highland Lakes – Providing relief, volunteer support and supplies
Austin Disaster Relief Network – Providing relief, clean-up and crisis counseling
Cadena – Mucking out houses, clearing debris and assessing rebuilding opportunities for Jewish community volunteers
Community Foundation of Central Texas – Providing direct assistance
L4 Cares – Providing basic needs assistance and clean up support
Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service – Providing direct assistance including case management, emergency financial assistance and counseling
UT Health San Antonio/Kerrville Fire Department – Providing First Responders with mental health support

This is just the beginning. More allocations will be announced in the weeks ahead, as needs continue to evolve and the recovery journey unfolds.

Thank you again for your generosity, which is already helping individuals and families take their first steps toward healing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Phil Loewy
Shalom Austin Board Chair

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Shalom Austin CEO

P.S. There’s still time to give to the Shalom Austin Flood Relief Campaign. Every donation counts.

July 25, 2025

Dear Community,

The community’s response to the devastating floods in Central Texas has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the face of heartbreak and loss, we have come together in strength, compassion and generosity.

Thanks to the outpouring of support across the country, as of this morning we’ve received $670,000 from nearly 3,050 donors in 43 states for the Shalom Austin Flood Relief Campaign to help our neighbors recover and rebuild.

This week, the Texas Flood Relief Campaign Allocations Task Force met to begin planning the careful, phased distribution of funds. Our distribution plan is thoughtfully structured, ensuring we can meet urgent needs now and in the months to come as families and communities work toward full recovery.

Because of the urgent needs now, 20% of the funds will be immediately allocated so that organizations can:

Actively serve individuals and families directly impacted by the floods
Support mental health and trauma services
Aid recovery efforts on-the-ground

More funds will be distributed in the coming days, weeks and months, and we will continue to share updates.

To everyone who has already given—thank you! Your generosity is already at work. We are also grateful to Texas Jewish Federations, Jewish Federations of North America and Jewish institutional partners across Greater Austin, Central Texas and nationally for their support!

If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to give. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference to provide relief and recovery assistance to those affected.

*To mail in your contribution, send your check payable to Shalom Austin, noting Flood Relief in the memo line, to 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731. To make a gift by phone call (512) 735-8034.

*If you would like to make a recommendation from your DAF, please make the grant out to Shalom Austin and include a note that it is for Flood Relief. EIN # 74-1469465.

For general questions about supporting these efforts, please email [email protected]

IF YOU NEED SUPPORT DURING THIS TIME

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service is here to help:

JFS is offering 1-2 free sessions to children and adults impacted by the floods.
JFS Case Managers are also available to help support families and individuals physically impacted by the floods, including through emergency financial assistance to support emergency housing or to cover basic needs such as food, clothing or supplies.

Please contact JFS at [email protected] or (512) 250-1043.

Hebrew Free Loan of Austin is offering interest-free emergency relief loans up to $10,000 to help those affected recover and rebuild. Please reach out to [email protected] or call (512) 677-4352.

RESOURCES

Below are helpful resources for families navigating conversations with children about difficult topics and natural disasters:

Common Sense Media: Explaining the News to Our Kids
PJ Library: Resources to Help Parents and Kids Talk About Scary Situations
American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking With Children About Disasters

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our emails, and visit our website for ongoing updates, stories, resources and ways you can help.

With gratitude and hope,

Phil Loewy
Shalom Austin Board Chair

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Shalom Austin CEO

July 23-24, 2025

Dear Community,

As we approach Shabbat, we are filled with both awe and heartfelt gratitude. In the wake of the devastating floods across Central Texas, you showed up in ways that brought comfort and hope to our neighbors who need it most.

Thanks to your generosity, as of this morning we’ve received $635,000 from over 3,000 donors across 43 states, and have collected and delivered an overwhelming amount of essential supplies that were donated to the Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service Food Pantry and Flood Recovery Drive.

Because of you, flood-affected families and recovery teams received:

non-perishable food
bottled water
toiletries
paper goods
electrolyte drinks
chain saw

These items were distributed directly to:

Recipient areas: Williamson/Travis Counties (Sandy Creek/Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown), Kerr County (Hunt), Burnet County (Bertram)
Recovery teams: Veterans and first responders with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance
Volunteer organizations: L4 Cares, Foundation XXLhope, Liberty Hill Lions Club, New Braunfels Evening Lions Club

For more information about in-kind donations, please email [email protected].

TEXAS FLOOD RELIEF CAMPAIGN ALLOCATIONS TASK FORCE

As search and recovery efforts are ongoing, we are preparing for what comes next, thoughtfully considering how we can best support our neighbors when the time comes.

Our dedicated task force of volunteers from the Greater Austin community and Federation representatives across Texas is guiding how relief funds are distributed — ensuring every decision is made with compassion, integrity, and responsibility — all rooted in Jewish values. We’ll be sharing updates soon on how the Shalom Austin Flood Relief Campaign Funds will be allocated and the impact your generosity has on those affected by this disaster.

With gratitude and hope,

Phil Loewy

Shalom Austin Board Chair

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus
Shalom Austin CEO