With 36 Dead in Maui Wildfires, Chabad Aids in Relief Efforts

by Karen Schwartz – chabad.org

With wildfires claiming 36 lives and leaving thousands homeless on the island of Maui, emergency workers searched through the night for survivors in the charred ruins of burned-out buildings and Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries joined relief workers around the state in helping Maui residents and thousands of tourists who had to evacuate the island cope with the disaster.

Officials in Hawaii warned that the death toll could rise with the fires still burning and search-and-rescue teams fanning out in the devastated areas in the hopes of finding survivors, said Adam Weintraub, communication director for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Rabbi Mendel Krasnjasnky of Chabad of Maui reported multiple homes belonging to Jewish residents succumbing to the blaze. Echoing their unwavering support during past calamities—as in previous natural disasters like Hurricane Lane in 2018—Chabad centers across Hawaii are offering vital services – from kosher meals and Shabbat services to emotional support.

“With lives lost and properties decimated, we are grieving with each other during this inconsolable time,” said Maui’s mayor, Richard Bissen.

This breaking story will be updated with ongoing developments.