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The JDRC is committed to helping communities that are suffering through the after affects of natural disasters recover and rebuild from the damages and losses. We work to help organize groups of volunteer labor to work in conjunction with community members and organizations to repair and rebuild. While partner organizations and institutions provide supplies and tools needed for repair, the JDRC supplies the necessary labor through organizing service trips.

In our current project we are working in Birmingham Alabama helping the community of Pratt City rebuild from the tornadoes that struck in April.  We are working with the local Habitat for Humanity providing them with over one hundred volunteers.  We are working with the local Jewish community to provide our volunteers with Housing at Kenneseth Israel, some showering facilities at the JCC, and food prepared by our staff so the volunteers are housed, clean, and fed.    

Past trips: 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Rebuilding In a Post-Flood Zone

In August 2009, the JDRC traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to help with the rebuilding effort as a result of damage that occurred during the flooding in June 2008.  Our volunteers helped to build and repair walls in houses damaged in the flood. 

Galveston, Texas – Rebuilding After Hurricane Ike

The JDRC traveled to Galveston Texas on three separate week long trips to help repair and rebuild homes that were damaged and destroyed as a result of Hurricane Ike. During January and March of 2010 our volunteers took part in many aspects of rebuilding – hanging sheetrock, indoor and outdoor painting, installing floors, and more. 

Nashville, Tennessee - Clean Up After Flooding

In May 2010 the JDRC deployed to Nashville to assist in the clean up from the flooding.  Since after a flood there is a high risk of mold growth in any porous materials affected by the flood, our work consisted mostly of removing debris from homes.  This included everything from furniture, clothing and toys to more permanent fixtures like walls, floors, and cabinets.

Yazoo City, Mississippi – Rebuilding from tornado

In January 2011 the JDRC worked with the Yazoo Humanitarian Recovery (YHR), helping with the long term recovery from a tornado that devastated Yazoo County on April 24, 2010.  Our volunteers worked primarily hanging sheetrock, interior painting, and roof repair. 

Nashville, Tennessee – Long term rebuilding from the floods of 2010

In March and April 2011 the JDRC returned to Nashville to work with the Southeast Nashville Recovery on the long term rebuilding effort in the city. Our volunteers helped to build, repair, and paint walls in houses damaged by the flood.

Birmingham, Alabama: - Clean up from the Tornadoes in April 2011

The JDRC spent May and June helping the homeowners in the communities of Pratt City and Pleasant Grove. Volunteers assisted in removing trees and debris from housing foundations in order to clear them for rebuilding.

Bergen County, New Jersey - Clean out homes flooded by Hurricane Irene

In response to Hurricane Irene the JDRC worked in Bergen County, New Jersey, helping to clean out homes flooded by the storm.  We worked in conjunction with FEMA and New Jersey VOAD to identify the needs in the county.  Our volunteers worked in partnership with NECHAMA and the local New Jersey NCSY.

The JDRC is a faith-based initiative that assists all communities in domestic disaster recovery while exhibiting Jewish values and promoting broad and visible Jewish participation. The JDRC provides a Jewish partner for institutions and individuals to work with, thus filling the gap between disaster response and the Jewish community’s commitment to help others, as it would want to be helped.

Goals

The JDRC is looking to establish itself as the central organizing body for the Jewish communities’ efforts to assist others recovering from natural disasters.  To achieve this goal the JDRC is starting with a three-pronged approach.  The JDRC will maintain a Long Term Recovery and Development, Immersive Service Learning and Alternative Breaks Program and Rapid Response Team.

As I arrived in Nashville, I was overwhelmed with excitement and slight apprehension about the week to come.  I wasn’t entirely convinced that one week and five inexperienced students could make even a small dent in the colossal damage that was caused from the flood this past summer. Throughout the week though, I came to realize that the importance of our support had very little to do with the progress we made on the homes. Rather, our presence demonstrated to people in their most vulnerable times that we were there to support them and help them recover from an experience that likely seemed impossible to recover from. Whether it was a painted room, trim, or drywall, our efforts were always appreciate to the utmost by the recipients as if we were rebuilding their homes entirely.

I have to admit that my only motivation for participating in this alternative spring break trip wasn’t the altruistic high; there was slight selfish incentive as well. When else will I get the opportunity to hang out with friends for a week while experiencing Nashville for the first time? Not only did the JDRC (Jewish Disaster Response Corps) lend me the opportunity to give back to the less fortunate, but also the privilege to explore a state I had never been to before. Touring the Hillel at Vanderbilt University was also truly eye opening.  It really helped me gain an appreciation for our large Hillel at NYU, while also appreciating the unity that a small community has to offer. Overall, the trip was really awesome and our small group made some moves towards helping to restore the homes that were damaged and the hope that was lost in Nashville.