Long Beach Shluchim Bear Impact of Hurricane

As residents all over New York and New Jersey have begun clean up from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, the Shluchim to Long Beach, Long Island find themselves with no home and a badly damaged Shul.

Rabbi Eli Goodman and his wife Beila, along with their 4 children, run the BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach NY. The Goodman family home as well as the offices are located right near the boardwalk and on the ground floor. From the front door of their home one can see the beach a mere 20 ft. away.

Before the storm began, the Goodman family evacuated to a friend’s home, taking with them their Rebbe dollars, passports and a change of clothing. As Hurricane Sandy crashed onto the shores of Long Beach, the water rushed in from the beach and filled all the streets, flooding homes, moving cars, tearing up the iconic Long Beach boardwalk, and smashing through 2 ft. thick cement walls meant to hold back the sea.

The scene at the Goodman home is one of utter chaos and destruction. Close to 2 ft. of sand covers the floor throughout the apartment, with dishes, seforim, toys and other household items are trapped within. Water levels reached 4 to 5 ft., ruining many shelves of seforim and books, including a Chosson Shas and leather Siddurim from their wedding. Photos of the children litter the floor along with chairs, clothing and large pieces of wood from the boardwalk.

The Chabad House is flooded with 4 ft. of water, destroying the social hall, stage, kitchen and many seforim.

Friends and family traveled to Long Beach after the storm to check on them and make sure that they were OK. With Hashem’s help, all members of the Goodman family are in good health.

Friends, family and members of the community of Long Beach gathered at the Goodman home this morning to assess the damage and salvage whatever they could. Seforim from the top shelf, toys that can be cleaned, dishes and other household items were packed in to boxes. A small amount of the wet and soggy clothing was stuffed in bags and transported to Crown Heights for cleaning.

The city of Long Beach is without phone connectivity, power and all water is contaminated and cannot be consumed. A city official told Rabbi Goodman that utilities are not expected to be running for a month due to the damage from the storm.