Like so many non-profits, IM has been out of power but still kept going, serving the community.  It's hard to believe that it is possible to serve so many seniors and refugees without computer power and phone service, but somehow we have done so.  Just as so many other first-responder organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and government agencies like the City of Houston, Harris County and FEMA have stepped up.  We'll likely hear stories about failed efforts, but the true heart and guts of our city needs to be recognized.  There are so many stories of bravery, dedication and pure visionary action that are worthy of telling. 
 
There's the story of  dozens of churches and other faith groups who have been housing evacuees from Galveston and other places in their gyms and sanctuaries - providing food, shelter and clothing.  Much of these expenses will be borne by them.  Certainly the time and talent of their core volunteers and staff is being diverted from other programs - all because the people of Houston are heroes.
 
There's the story about crime - not the one we would expect - but how low the crime statistics have been.   

People in Houston have learned how to drive!  Somehow, with all those lights out, people have slowed down and let the other guy take a turn. 
 
I keep hearing that people connected with their neighbors, many for the first time.  And now as the electricity is coming back on and the garage openers begin working again, it feels like we're losing something very special.
 
I learned about one church's senior pastor who received a phone call from someone he didn't know living back east.  The caller said they could not find their elderly parents and were desperate to find out if they were ok.  So this pastor got in his car late that night, with a load of food, water and ice and drove across town to find the parents.  He drove up to the house and knocked on the door.  They were fine, but without electricity or phone, so he called their kids on his cell phone and said "here, someone wants to talk to you."  After the call the parents said they didn't need anything but across the street there was someone who really looked like he did.  So the pastor gave all of his food, water and ice to the neighbor.  The next day he came back with more food and water only to find that the neighbor had distributed what he received the night before to his neighbors.  The church volunteers returned each day until the electricity came back. 
 
The president of my synagogue bought Sabbath dinner for 1,250 families who he thought might need a kosher meal.  In the end a number of synagogues and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston backed him up so that he did not need to take this financial burden on his own.  Only about 500 families came forward to receive these meals, so in the end he and my synagogue donated enough food to the Houston Food Bank and the Jewish Community Center to feed 700 families and seniors. 
 
I could go on - but I think you already know what I am talking about.  You've likely witnessed this yourself and have been amazed by the grace that has been shown by Houston and all of our leadership.
   
Every organization, IM is no different, has been negatively impacted by IKE.  IM took courageous action.  We sent out emergency food to our most frail and dependent seniors before the hurricane - and then again last Tuesday. We were back on our regular delivery schedule on Friday with MREs. We began providing food and water to our refugees immediately following the hurricane. We expended significant funds without any assurance of reimbursement or fundraising receipts.  We did what we thought was right (and Holy).  We decided on the first day that our employees would be paid in full, even those who would not be working for a week or more.  I know personally that the great majority of non-profits and congregations did the same thing - taking action and not waiting for approval from outside sources (the safe choice). 
 
Each of us will eventually ask for support.  Those of you who hold IM dear will hopefully step forward.  And I am sure you will help all the organizations that you support. 
 
But the best way to act now is to come together and act collectively.  IM trusts that the United Way will step in and help its agencies and many other organizations that have done something about the immediate, emergency needs. 
 
So the next check I urge you to write is to the United Way's Hurricane Recovery Fund.  You can go to their website at www.unitedwayhouston.org; or call 713-685-2800.  And please make your annual pledge through your company campaign (you can start a company or congregation campaign by calling the number above).  This is the time to be most generous.
 
Take care, be safe, and God bless.

Elliot Gershenson,