Return to Sendai: Beyond the Call of Duty

Return to Sendai: Beyond the Call of Duty

Roads to Sendai were destroyed making access difficult
Roads to Sendai were destroyed making access difficult

Roads to Sendai 2

Roads to Sendai 3
Aftermath of Earthquake in Japan

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.


Our supplies created encouragement by the Japanese people in Sendai
Our supplies creates encouragement by the Japanese in Sendai

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.

Distributing arts and crafts to children at Shelter near Sendai
Distributing arts and crafts to children at Shelter near Sendai

Distributed blankets for residents of the shleter especially for elderly
Distributed blankets for residents of the shelter especially for elderly
Our volunteers went door to door to distribute necessities and inquire of the wellbeing of locals
Our volunteers went door to door to distribute necessities and checking on the well being of locals

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.

Rabbi Edery bought cas canisters for the way now he refills his car when after running on empty
Rabbi Edery bought canisters for the journey, now he refills his car when after running on empty

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.

For this visit we set up headquarters here, offering temporary residence to two families
For this visit we set up headquarters here, offering temporary residence to two families

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.
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