washington (jta) | Spearheading massive federal assistance to rebuild areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush wants the faith-based community to play a role as well.
His first stop: U.S. Jews.
In fact, Jews’ efforts to help hurricane victims have become a centerpiece of Bush’s appeal to Americans to pitch in. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, for the second time in a week, Bush spoke extensively of U.S. Jewish assistance in the region affected by Katrina, citing it as a benchmark for other Americans.
“Jews have been at the forefront of the effort,” Bush told a Washington luncheon marking the 20th anniversary of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
He spoke at length about efforts by Chabad in New Orleans, saying the organization’s relief distribution in the city had saved lives.
He also told a story about the rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge, who took in a displaced African American couple and called their daughter in Maryland to tell her that their parents were safe.
“Thank you, Jesus,” the woman said.
Bush joked that the woman had the wrong rabbi.
Bush used his speech to outline his proposal to reconstruct the area with tax breaks for new businesses and a plan to build homes for residents who had previously rented.
He also noted that the amount of money raised by Jews is up to $17 million.