See Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Hurricane Sandy information page for links to recovery resources.

As part of our new Connect to Recovery initiative to help people hurt by Hurricane Sandy, UJA-Federation today made the first $1.3 million in allocations to network agencies, synagogues, and day school families.

The initial allocations, authorized by a committee of lay leaders chaired by former UJA-Federation President John M. Shapiro, are part of a relief effort started Sunday when UJA-Federation made available up to $10 million to respond to urgent needs arising from the most devastating natural disaster to have ever struck the New York area.

Work being done in the hardest hit areas, such as Zone A in New York City and the south shore of Long Island, was given top priority in our initial allocations.

In the first grants, close to 30 agencies will receive funds for reimbursement of extraordinary expenses related to the hurricane. The money will provide emergency food, temporary housing, financial counseling, emergency cash assistance, and more. Close to 30 synagogues also received initial funding and there was money allocated to day schools for scholarships to families who were severely impacted by the storm.

“Our network agencies and synagogues are doing the vital work of helping people put their lives back together. We don’t want them to have to worry about where the money is coming from. This is just the beginning,” Shapiro said.

Read Jewish Week’s editorial praising our relief efforts, Stepping Up to Provide Relief.

View our updated photo gallery to see images of the Jewish community’s response to Hurricane Sandy.

For those who want to help, everyday we are updating a list of volunteer opportunities in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island.

UJA-Federation opened the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. Funds raised will be used to provide support to agencies and communities that have been impacted by the devastation. One hundred percent of the funds will be used for aid; no administrative costs will be applied.