Over 10 Tons of Food and Clothes Distributed
Rabbi Edery and Muto san together with Chabad volunteers drive up to Sendai three times a week to distribute food, clothes and necessary items to the people in the shelters and families in the affected areas. Every trip they rent a 1 ton truck and fill it up with goods to be distributed. Special thanks to the CEO of National Azabu, Mr. Sezaki and head manager Mr. Dale Toriumi, for their ongoing help in organizing food and clothes drives. They also put charity boxes for customers to help monetarily and encourage their customers to take part in this important and crucial cause. The people in the shelters are incredibly thankful and appreciative of the dedication Rabbi Edery, Muto san and all the volunteers have for them. National Azabu food and clothes drive. Rabbi Edery and Chabad volunteers come with a truck, a few times a week to pick up the collected items, to be distributed to the people in the shelters. After driving the whole night the truck arrives in Sendai and is unloaded in Muto san’s house, aka Chabad of Sendai. Huge pile of food and clothes at Mr. Muto’s house, after unloading. Entrance of Chabad Sendai after truck unloaded. Loading a truck to go to a shelter in Iwanuma with the food and clothes. Muto san, Rabbi Edery and refugees go over logistics of how to organize the distribution. Refugees organize and categorize the items according to contents, food, clothes and others. Volunteers in shelters organize the huge load of food and clothes, brought by Chabad Japan with National Azabu. Mr. Aki Wakabayashi, one of the head volunteers, helps with the distribution. Sign at National Azabu encouraging customers to help. Rabbi Edery driving the 1 ton mitzvah truck on his thrice weekly drives to Sendai. Teenagers from the shelter help unload and choose things that they need.
Hot food for Miyagi Refugees
Rabbi Edery never ceases to amaze with his ingenious ideas to help people. He rented special trucks that prepare hot food- delicous Yakimos for the refugees in the different shelters. The people were so happy and touched by this kindness. An elderly woman started to cry when it was her turn and they told her it was for free. The governor of Miyagi prefecture, Mr.Yoshihiro Murai, personally came to thank Rabbi Edery and Muto san for their tireless work to help the people. He bowed and said, ” I can’t thank you enough for your great kindness.”. To be a part of this great mitzvah, please forward this link to your friends
National Azabu Joins Chabad Japan’s Relief Efforts
The head manager and staff of National Azabu have been moved and inspired by Rabbi Edery and Chabad Japan volunteer efforts that they agreed to put a big basket in the store for shoppers to donate food items for the relief efforts. Rabbi Edery will pick up the donated items a few times a week, and will distribute them to the refugees. Special thanks to Mr. Toriumi, Mr. Aoki, Mr. Muto and Dr. Simon Chichello to make this joint project possible.
Sendai: March 21
On March 20, Binyomin made another trip to Sendai. This time, the trip was made much easier thanks to the help of the authorities, who issued a special vehicle permit. This permit made it possible for Binyomin to drive on the highways leading to Sendai, and to purchase gasoline. Four other international volunteers from Chabad Japan accompanied him on this trip, which brought undergarments, warm clothing, socks, bread, fruits, chocolate, and kerosene to those in need. The shelters now have heat, and water for drinking is available, but there is no water for washing. They are still in need of basic clothes. Binyomin feels a special connection with Sendai because, soon after he first arrived in Japan 10 years ago, he was homeless for a time, and found hospitality at the home of a resident of Sendai. Some of the people the Chabad volunteers spoke with had lost family members in the tsunami, yet they continued to clear rubble and help search for survivors. The sense is that they have a deep sorrow inside, but are now focused on clearing the way for rebuilding their lives. Your donations of any amount will go directly to those in this time of need.
Return to Sendai: Beyond the Call of Duty
This week Rabbi Edery returned to Sendai for a second time, together with Mutoh san and other volunteers to help the refugees. The trip itself takes 10 hours as there is no highway now. The situation is very difficult and devastating. Hundreds of thousands of people are sleeping on the floor in huge auditoriums of city halls, including elderly people, women, children. The Relief agencies are struggling to cope with the demand for vital aid packages as their delivery trucks are stranded not far from their bases due to a lack of fuel. The local supermarkets are either destroyed or depleted with no resupply in the foreseeable future. He brought truckloads of basic food and necessities, rice, beans, soymilk, water, vegetables, undergarments, sweaters, blankets, diapers, wipes, toilet paper and art supplies for children. The refugees had tears in their eyes and were so moved that a Jewish Rabbi cared so much about them, when even Japanese are afraid to go. They did not stop thanking him. Muto san and Rabbi Edery also went from house to house in the area that did not get swept up by the tsunami, to check what is needed, as they are not in the shelters and there is nowhere that they can even by rice or basic necessities. Some need medical care, but there is no formal list which people need what in the people that are not in the shelters. Today Rabbi Edery is filling up canisters of gasoline as there are no gasoline stations in the whole area, which is needed most at this time. He hopes to be back after Purim. The main base is Muto san’s parent’s home in Sendai, it was not destroyed, that is where all the food boxes are being stored until distribution. There are 2 families that Rabbi Edery and Muto san brought there to sleep. Please be a part of our important work by opening your hearts and donating to help those in suffering. Your support will go directly to buying and bringing additional supplies to the victims in Sendai and the region. Thank you for your help at this time of need. Copyright hageula.com
