Grants for Katrina evacuees

Financial relief grants of $700 per adult are being offered to Jewish individuals who have experienced financial distress following Hurricane Katrina.

The money was provided to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans by United Jewish Communities after the Federation made a grant request.

According to the Federation, “This financial assistance is being distributed with a sense of love and caring for our community. While we know that this doesn’t begin to cover the economic losses that that we all face as a result of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, we hope that it will provide some immediate financial relief.”

The grant program is being implemented nationally through Jewish Federations and the national Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies. UJA and AJFCA notified local agencies across the country to expect needs-based financial assistance requests from evacuees.

Evacuees in Louisiana should contact Jewish Family Services at the nearest office — New Orleans/Metairie, (504) 831-8475; Baton Rouge (225) 379-7393; or Mandeville (985) 264-1619.

Those outside the area should contact the nearest Jewish Family Services.

Baton Rouge education assistance

The Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge is offering financial educational assistance for displaced Jewish students from New Orleans. One-time grants of $1000 per student will be provided directly to the student’s parents, or in the case of college students to the student him/herself.

To qualify, a student must be Jewish and have been a permanent resident of the Greater New Orleans area on Aug. 29, who is now displaced from New Orleans and enrolled at a college or university in Baton Rouge, Hammond, or Lafayette.

Elementary or high school students must be enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade at a Baton Rouge private school or East Baton Rouge Parish public school.

Forms are available from the Baton Rouge Federation, or online at jewishbr.com.

More information: Rabbi Martha Bergadine, (225) 379-7393.