By COLlive reporter
Tens of thousands of people have been shivering for nearly a week without power after deadly storms swept through Washington state, damaging the electrical grid in Spokane.
AP reported that winds topping 70 mph in the Northwest snapped power poles and toppled trees that crashed through roofs and crushed cars.
Three people died when trees fell on their vehicles, and heavy rains flooded roadways and homes, the agency said.
With stores sold out of firewood to heat homes, the local Chabad Rabbi Yisroel Hahn arranged for his wife Sarah Hahn and their 5 children travel to Tacoma, which wasn’t affected by the storm.
The Hahn family were warmly greeted by their fellow Chabad Shluchim Rabbi Zalman and Miriam Heber, co-directors of Chabad of Pierce County, who provided food and lodging.
With his family safe, Rabbi Hahn then turned around and traveled back home to subfreezing temperatures.
“Since the storm took out all power to our home, it wasn’t the cold and the darkness that got to me, it’s the lack of being able to do what we are used to doing; being productive is more crucial than anything else,” he said.
The rabbi announced on social media that “if you know anyone who needs a place to stay and cannot afford a room” to contact him. “No one should be left in the cold,” he wrote.
Rabbi Hahn and a group of volunteers have been traveling around the city –where more than 33,000 households are living without heat and light– handing out warm drinks and nutritious soup.
“Chabad of Spokane is still without power but that has not kept them from doing what they could to help the community,” Yedidyah Kent, one of the volunteers, reported.
“It was an awesome time to see how Chabad is there for the people of the community. Even without power they push through the darkness and bring in the light. This is what Chabad is all about!”
Chana Rochel Sauer, a resident of Spokane who works at a management facility, says she was deeply moved to witness the rabbi personally calling members of the Jewish community to check on their wellbeing and needs.
“We are a very small Jewish community but due to the Hahn family, it has become bigger but also more of a family and close,” she told COLlive.com. “Rabbi Hahn drove to find a generator so that he could host hot meals for the community to come to.”
Among the beneficiaries of the kindness of the Chabad people are the 123 crews of Avista Corp., the region’s major electrical utility, who are working around the clock to restore electrical service.
“This Shluchim family is a bracha to all,” Sauer said. “They are the light of Spokane.”
To support the activities, visit jewishspokane.com
may Hashem give you nachat, wealth and health for this great mitzvah u r doing
Rabbi Hahn’s shlichus extends much deeper than just Washington State, for thousands of Yidden on social media he’s their first source of yiddishkiet. Plus I know of at least 1 international meis mitzvah which wouldn’t of happened with out his going the extra mile…
Just moved here from Crown Heights. We drove through 70mph winds in a u-haul truck and we’re lucky B’H to make it without the truck flipping. When we arrived, we had no power, heat or water. We weren’t lucky enough to have met Rabbi Hahn but our surrounding neighbors brought us wood for a fireplace and water. Even though this isn’t the Heights, all the people I have encountered since I have been here (only a week) have been truly amazing people – something I am not used to seeing from outside of the community. There really is a light,… Read more »
What a guy true Shiiach, seating in the middle of nowhere with no fancy donors and doing the rebbes work,
Comes back to New York always with a smile, not many like him, and he is a great Baal tfila too,
A fan in ch
zalmy and miriam heber you guys are the best! Always ready to help someone in time of need. Hashem should bentcch you with gezunt, parnassa and success in your shlichus.we love you!
Yisroel, Chaya Sarah, and their children are so special and truly are a light in and for their community! They work tirelessly and humbly as the Rebbe’s shluchim in Spokane. Continued hatzlacha!!!!!
In a world filled with so much darkness, we need more people like this to spread light.
I was so touched by the kindness shown by this amazing family. May you be blessed with an abundant shower of brochos. Wishing hatzlocha.
I was one of the many benefiting from the Hahn’s graciousness and hospitality, and this story is a prime example of their dedication to their Shlichus. Much Mazal and Bracha!
Shmuli F.
Rabbi Hahn was the greatest rebbe in school i ever had this is really just a ray of what kind of exceptional human being he is always caring for the lack of attention that the boys from big family’s needed taking from his own recess to see what they need taking from his own paycheck to let the class have a good time even when the”hanholo” did’nt cut him slack we all admire and respect how lucky we were to have him as a teacher and im sure all my classmates and even firends of my classmates that will read… Read more »
I hope the power comes on quickly, and that in the near future you Shluchim have more success than ever before!
kol hakovod! Hashem should give you the strength to continue your wonderful, life saving work!