(Washington, D.C., August 30, 2021)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International is opening its Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund to support those affected by Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in southeastern Louisiana on August 29. B’nai B’rith will be allocating $5,000 to support emergency relief efforts, as well as accepting donations. We will match donations up to $15,000.

The Category 4 storm, with high-speed winds and rising sea levels, caused significant flooding, and widespread power outages. As the storm continues to move inland, it threatens to bring more flooding in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Hurricane Ida struck the Gulf Coast on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which resulted in more than 1,800 deaths and over $100 billion in damages in the region. Following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, B’nai B’rith distributed $1.1 million in funds that supported an emergency response and rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Our longstanding tradition of helping communities in distress began in 1865 in pre-state Israel when we raised funds to aid victims of a cholera outbreak. Since then, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity after natural and man-made disasters. Recent donations to our Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund will be used to help victims of the August earthquake in Haiti. Earlier this year, we raised funds to help vulnerable communities around the world stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

To help us help those in need, donate to our Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund here.

Donors can also call 800-573-9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone. Or, you can send a check payable to the B’nai B’rith Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund to:

B’nai B’rith International Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund 
1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N 
Washington, D.C. 20036 ​