Shluchim Pull Off a Shabbos

By COLlive reporter

One of the hardest hit areas in New York during Hurricane Sandy was Coney Island’s Sea Gate in Brooklyn, a lovely place to have a home but a dangerous place when a big storm threatens.

NY1 reported that most Sea Gate residents evacuated before the worst of Sandy hit. When they returned, they found dozens of homes destroyed. In some cases, piles of rubble are all that’s left of them.

Amongst the community loss, the Chabad House of Sea Gate was severely damaged. The offices, library and rooms have been totally submerged in water leaving nothing salvageable.

Despite the loss of their own personal property as well, Shluchim Rabbi Chaim and Rivky Brikman have stuck around to help their community physically and emotionally during this time.

“The area was completely ruined: Cars piled up one on another, homes ripped off their foundations, rooms completely missing, having been swept off to sea,” Rabbi Brikman told COLlive.com.

By Tuesday, they determined that the greatest need was getting people warm meals. The problem was that there was no electricity and no generators available in New York – and week mobile receptions.

When Rivky’s parents, Rabbi Zalmen and Chaya Sarah Marozov, heard of their predicament they took an 8-hour trip by car from Montreal, where they live, to bring a generator and pumps for the waters.

Since the generator and pump arrived, streams of people have been coming through the Brikman residence for some light, warmth, and food to eat.

For Shabbos, the Brikmans and Coney Island Shliach Rabbi Pinny Marozov went around giving people Shabbos packages as well as inviting them to a community Shabbos meal.

The meal has been prepared by a caring group of residents of Crown Heights, as even the homes in Sea Gate that were not wrecked by the superstorm are still without power.

“More support is needed and every little bit counts,” Rabbi Brikman said. To help, visit Visit chabadseagate.com/sandy