Jews stretch their pocketbooks — and limbs — for tsunami relief

Who would think that stretching and breathing in yoga postures like the downward dog and or the tree pose could help victims of the tsunami in South Asia?

Jen Traeger of San Francisco recently gave a one-time fund-raiser yoga class, whose proceeds went directly to American Jewish World Service's tsunami relief and reconstruction efforts.

While this was one of the more unusual volunteer efforts to help tsunami victims, synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout the Bay Area have rallied to help relief efforts coordinated by AJWS.

At Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, efforts during Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for the Trees, this past January raised funds for a specific kind of relief: environmental restoration.

Aside from a general call for contributions, Emanu-El did a special drive to raise funds for Global Greengrants, which sends contributions directly to nonprofit organizations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The money went to restoring wetlands and rebuilding forests and coastal areas.

In Walnut Creek, three individuals at Congregation B'nai Shalom put their heads together to find a way to help repair and reconstruct the devastated region. They came up with the idea of a tsunami relief benefit concert of world music.

"We're looking at Jews and their roles as global citizens," said Deena Levine-Lipsett, a member of the steering committee that is putting together the benefit to be held at the synagogue on Sunday, April 3. "You don't have to look far to see the magnitude of help and aid that needs to happen."

Traeger, who is an instructor at Open Door Yoga in Noe Valley agrees. "I asked myself what I could do — what could I offer to people in order to raise their awareness? And yoga was it."

Originally conceptualized as a fund-raiser for raising awareness about the crisis in Sudan, Traeger changed the direction of her event after the tsunami struck in December. With contacts and help from AJWS, she was able to draw in a large group of people.

"Not only did the students have the benefit of going to a yoga class, but they also had the benefit of knowing that their money went directly to AJWS," Traeger said.

"We're thrilled to have so many congregants volunteer their efforts. The tsunami struck and hit front pages for several weeks, and then disappeared," said Elizabeth Friedman Branoff, director of AJWS' Bay Area regional office. "It's encouraging to know that people are continuing to raise money that will be funds for years of relief and aid."

Friedman Branoff stressed that relief funds are not just for emergency relief, but also for long-term restoration of the region. One example of this long-term reconstruction effort is channeling AJWS money and resources into helping fishermen get back their livelihoods after their businesses were hit hard by the tsunami.

The AJWS director emphasized that Jewish organizations, congregations, and people all over the Bay Area are donating their money or organizing fund-raiser drives. She named Kehillah Jewish Day School in San Jose, Ner Shalom in Cotati, and Congregation Beth David in Saratoga as institutions that have had drives in recent weeks or are planning them.

Says Traeger: "If everyone thought about it, there would be a lot more ways for us to do social action and allow people to raise money and get a benefit for it. It doesn't take that much effort; if we can put our energy together we can create that much more awareness."




American Jewish World Service has numerous volunteer opportunities. Info: (415) 296-2533. The concert to benefit tsunami victims is scheduled for 3:00 pm, Sunday, April 3, at Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Info: (925) 947-5627.