Dear Congregants,
I want to take a moment to share how deeply proud I am of our congregation and the tremendous impact we have had in response to the hurricanes that devastated parts of Western North Carolina and Florida. Through your compassion, generosity, and action, we have brought relief and connection to those in need, embodying the very best of our values.
When the storm swept through Western North Carolina just before the High Holy Days, the Reform congregation in Asheville lost access to much of its operational infrastructure, including phones, accounting systems, and back-office support. In response, we quickly mobilized, setting up a discretionary fund account to accept donations on their behalf, raising $68,000. This immediate support helped bridge critical gaps and allowed the Asheville congregation to reopen and begin rebuilding. This act of solidarity has drawn our communities closer, and it’s a testament to the strength of our shared commitment.
Click here to read a letter from Congregation Beth HaTephila.
Beyond Asheville, we also responded to urgent regional needs. We delivered a pallet of potable water—exceeding our original goal—to support those in Asheville, where clean water remains a pressing issue. Our LIBERTY Youth Group’s High Holy Day appeal collected over $30,000. The teens chose to distribute the money to organizations such as the Asheville JCC, Jewish Family Services, Second Harvest, and the Jewish Disaster Relief organization, NECHAMA. This past week, Rabbi Erdheim, Rabbi Nichols, Rachel Glazer, and a group of 10 of our 10th graders volunteered with NECHAMA to clean up homes and properties in Asheville. Our teens demonstrated maturity, hard work, and resilience, and they represented the very best of Temple Beth El.
Our commitment extended to welcoming 40–50 Asheville residents to our High Holy Day services in Charlotte and providing streaming support for their community. These connections ensured that even amidst upheaval, no one was left without a spiritual home for these sacred days.
Meanwhile, before another hurricane struck Florida, we reached out to congregations in Tampa and Naples to provide assistance and connection. Temple Beth El became a streaming partner for their displaced communities, offering access to our services. On Yom Kippur, we broadcasted our services on Tampa’s public access channels. We had thousands of views from the Florida area.
Personally, I visited Asheville before departing for our Spain trip to provide pastoral support and house calls to those affected. These experiences have reinforced the importance of not only supporting immediate needs but also building resilient systems for the future.
As a congregation, we have answered – and will continue to answer the call to care for others, not just in Charlotte but across the region. Through your generosity, we have offered immediate relief and lasting connection to those in need, demonstrating the profound impact of our shared mission.
Thank you for being part of this sacred work and for showing what it means to be a community united by love and responsibility. I am so proud to be part of this extraordinary congregation.
With gratitude and pride,
Rabbi Asher Knight
