President Bush Salutes Chabad’s Rescue Efforts

Speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition‘s 20th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, President George Bush applauded the Jewish community’s participation in Hurricane Katrina’s relief efforts. The President’s speech, which addressed in particular, the work of Chabad-Lubavitch, followed the invocation by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, director of American Friends of Lubavitch in Washington.

In his remarks, President Bush said:

“Our nation’s armies of compassion have rallied and have come to the aid of people who are in desperate need of help. Our charities and houses of worship and idealistic people have opened up their homes, wallets and their hearts. It’s been an amazing, amazing outpouring of help. And the Jewish community of this country has been on the forefront of the efforts.

“At Tulane University, the director of the Chabad, Rabbi Rivkin, brought teams of students to New Orleans and Southern Mississippi and other communities hit by the storm.

“He called in folks to help. He didn’t say, head away from the storm area, he said, let’s take it right to the middle of the storm area to help people. They helped rescue stranded people, distributed bottled water and self-heating kosher meals. They cleaned up and helped salvage homes, and provided spiritual support for those who lost loved ones.

“And one of the ones rescued put it this way in the days after Katrina hit, Chabad saved lives.”

Click here to view the President’s Speech.