In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we were relatively lucky here in the Greater Boston area and suffered minimal damage compared with other areas. Our thoughts are with our neighbors in New York, New Jersey and throughout the east coast, many of whom are still without power, or worse, without homes. Want to help out?

Here are two ways you can help speed along the recovery.

Donate funds: The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has initiated a Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund directing money raised towards affected communities (Jewish and non-Jewish). To make a donation, click here. Or simply text 'RELIEF' to 51818.

Donate blood: Many blood drives were canceled due to the storm, leaving a great need for donations. To learn more, click here.

Volunteer:  The Red Cross is calling for volunteers to deploy to their Hurricane Sandy Shelters; to learn more, click here.

Both of these actions are a great opportunity to practice Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which literally translates to ‘repairing the world.’ And, as we see in the pictures below, there’s lots to repair on the east coast.

This picture from the US Coast Guard shows property damage along the New Jersey coast

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (centre) views storm damage in the Breezy Point area of Queens, New York, after hurricane-related fire destroyed about 80 homes

One of many destroyed beachfront properties in Rockaway, Queens, New York.

FDNY Firefighter dispatched to Breezy Point, NY, where many homes burned in the wake of Hurricane Sandy