Volunteers at Houston’s Evelyn Rubenstein JCC distribute supplies to those in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Photo: Jacob Kamaras.

JNS.org – Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry approved on Sunday a plan to send $1 million in emergency aid to Houston’s Jewish community following the extensive flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

The aid approval follows reports last week that the ministry was “advancing” an initiative to help rebuild critical infrastructure for Houston’s Jewish community including synagogues, the Jewish Community Center and schools, which were all badly damaged during the deadly hurricane — the strongest to hit Texas in decades.

“This is a time for the Jewish state to help our Diaspora brothers at their time of need,” said Education and Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett. “They helped us when we needed it, it is our turn to help them.”

The forthcoming funds will be transferred through the local Israeli Consulate in Houston.

Additionally, Israel has also sent emergency aid to other communities affected by natural disasters during the past week. Israeli emergency rescue teams departed Saturday night for Miami ahead of Hurricane Irma’s arrival in Florida this weekend.

Also, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday it would send aid to Mexico, after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake — the strongest to hit Mexico in a century — struck 75 miles off the country’s Pacific coast last Thursday, causing tremendous damage and killing at least 90 people.