While most of the western Ukraine countryside recovers from a devastating flood that has left thousands homeless and killed at least 22 people, a Jewish community center in the westernmost city of Uzhgorod is assessing damage from downpours two weeks ago that will likely exceed $15,000.

According to Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Menachem Taichman, the city’s chief rabbi, rainwater falling through a hole in the building holding his offices and home. The center had been in the middle of renovations to add a new floor when the storm struck; the cafeteria was ruined.

“The damage was very big and sudden,” said Taichman.

The rabbi estimated the necessary repairs to cost between $15,000 and $20,000. The damage comes on the heels of another renovation project that fixed damage from a suspected arson last fall.

The cafeteria, which Taichman described as serving a dual purpose as a restaurant and soup kitchen, is now closed. The rabbi and his wife are now sending non-perishable foodstuffs to the 70 people who were receiving hot meals from the cafeteria.

In the surrounding countryside, floods last week sent the Dnieper and Prut rivers overflowing their banks, inundating both portions of Ukraine and Romania. The Ukraine government called the flooding the worst that country has seen in years.

Taichman said that he’s checking on Jewish residents, but it appears as if the wider Jewish community emerged from the floods unscathed.

“Most of the community lives here in the city,” he said. “And their homes are sealed well.”

(Source: Chabad.org)