‘The House is Down to the Earth’: Rabbi Yaakov Raskin Details Hurricane Melissa’s Devastation in Jamaica

In the devastating wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica is grappling with a catastrophic breakdown of infrastructure, leaving the majority of its population in dire straits.

According to a statement from Chabad of Jamaica, the situation is “very difficult,” with “over 70% of the Island… without water or electricity.”

The storm’s fallout has been immediate and severe, with “many people [having] lost everything, including people we know dearly.”
Rabbi Yaakov Raskin, the Chabad Shliach in Jamaica, described the harrowing human toll in an interview with Belaaz.

The Chabad House has transformed into an emergency shelter, with its official statement noting, “Fifteen people are currently sheltering at the Chabad House, both stranded tourists and displaced Jamaicans.”

The relief efforts are aimed at assisting both visitors and the established local Jewish community.

According to Rabbi Raskin, there are 360 local Jews spread out over the entire island.  “Some of them have been living here for generations,” Rabbi Raskin said. “Some of them came here for business. Some of them fell in love with Jamaica while visiting,” Rabbi Raskin said, adding that the country is not an ideal place for being shomer Torah umitzvos.

In recent years, Rabbi Raskin noted, many have sought to reconnect with Yiddishkeit, particularly since the COVID pandemic and the events of October 7, “a lot of them committed” he says. He  shared an anecdote of discovering a local Jewish man he had not been aware of before and teaching him the mitzvah of tefilin.

Rabbi Raskin recounted the story of one woman who sought refuge at the Chabad House on Friday night.
“Everybody’s sharing their experience,” he said. “She said, ‘the house is down to the earth.’ She came here, she slept, she brought her six bags of clothes—that was left of her life. Everything else, gone.” The woman, he added, “didn’t eat for two days.”

The emotional weight of the disaster was felt profoundly during Shabbos. “There was not a dry eye by the Shabbos table,” Raskin shared. “It was just so painful to hear.”

Access to the Chabad House remains a significant challenge. “The roads are blocked still. Today, six days after, there’s a huge electric pole in front of the Chabad House,” he explained. “Anybody who wants to come to the Chabad House has to park their car five minutes away and walk 20 minutes… And we are in a better community, next to the hotels. Think about the people who are in harsh places.”

Chabad of Jamaica has mobilized its resources, leaning on a generator to keep operations running. “Thank G-d, we have a diesel generator which powers our lights and fans, but things are very difficult and we need your help,” the organization stated.

“We’ve begun arranging aid packages with food, clean clothes, bottled water, and hygiene supplies for people in the hardest-hit regions,” Chabad announced. “The need is extreme.”

Chabad of Jamaica has launched an emergency fund and is appealing for supplies. “We can only accept new items, which means no opened packages or used clothing,” the statement clarified. G-d Bless you and G-d bless Jamaica.”

Chabad has issued an urgent call for donations of essential supplies to assist families in need. The organization is seeking baby and childcare items such as diapers in all sizes, wipes, baby food and formula, feeding bottles, sheets, and new blankets. Health and hygiene products are also in high demand, including pain relievers, cough and cold medicine, first aid kits, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, feminine hygiene products, mosquito repellent, laundry detergent, and general cleaning supplies.

Nonperishable food items are another priority. Chabad is asking for canned goods like tuna, beans, vegetables, soups, and sausages, along with instant meals, snack bars, nuts, rice, crackers, cookies, applesauce or fruit cups, shelf-stable milk, small cereal boxes, and condiment packets such as mayonnaise. Other requested essentials include bottled water, batteries, flashlights or lanterns, sleeping bags, and new clothing for both children and adults. All donations will go directly toward providing relief and comfort to those affected.