Volunteers put Jewish Values into Action

Greensboro Jewish Federation staff and community volunteers recently traveled to Western North Carolina to partner with NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster. Together, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work sanding, mudding, taping, painting, and building in order to help a local family recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.

The homeowners, David and Linda, have been displaced since the storm hit in September, 2024. “We are so grateful,” said Linda. “I must have filled out thousands of applications for help, but we kept getting turned down. It’s been really hard. Then, through our own volunteer work, we met someone who connected us with NECHAMA. And now, thanks to their efforts, we’re finally on the path to getting back home.”

In addition to volunteering on-site, the Federation proudly presented a generous donation to NECHAMA from the Hurricane Helene Emergency Relief Fund to support its ongoing recovery work.

A special thank-you goes out to these incredible volunteers who gave their time and energy to this effort, and who represented our Jewish community with heart and hard work: Karen Brod and her son, Meyer; Martin Fields; Jenny Kaiser; Sol Kovach; and Rachel Villalba with her daughter, Celia.

Volunteering with NECHAMA showed me the power of community in action,” said Federation CEO Glenda Bernhardt. “In just one day, strangers became teammates, and a house moved closer to being a home again. It reminded me that even a few hours of service can have a lasting impact—and that giving back gives so much in return.

It’s in moments like these that the power of community shines. The Greensboro Jewish Federation is committed to helping those in need, and welcomes everyone who wants to make a difference. Together, we’re working to make life better for those who need it most.