While the Muzzies in Australia are urging people to light fires…
The Jews of Australia are opening their hearts and homes to those who have suffered losses in the recent fires:
As bushfires raged in the Australian state of Victoria, the state’s Jewish community launched a massive relief campaign, supplying food and clothing, making monetary donations and offering to host hundreds of residents who have lost their homes.
While watching the news on Sunday night, Michael Spektor and Glynis and Emma Lipson decided they had to do something to help the victims of the bushfires.They sent e-mails, made telephone calls and organized an event on Facebook called “Donation for Fire Relief,” appealing for contributions of food and clothing from Victoria’s Jews.
“This isn’t our [Jewish] community, but they’re our fellow Victorians,” explained Spektor, who is using his cafe as a drop-off point for supplies to be sent to victims.
“To say that it’s a situation of total devastation is putting it mildly,” said Glynis Lipson, who is co-president of the Victoria branch of Magen David Adom (MDA).
“The response of the Jewish community has been amazing,” she added. “In addition to personal donations, pharmacies and supermarkets have donated baby milk powder, soap, diapers, shampoo, conditioner - everything. These people have nothing except the clothes on their backs.”