Historic Flooding Damages Chabad Center, Homes in Hoi An, Vietnam
Devastating rainfall from Typhoon Fengshen caused unprecedented flooding in Hoi An, Vietnam, damaging homes and the local Chabad Center.
The flooding, which began Monday, is the worst the city has experienced since records have been kept, according to residents. Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination, saw water levels rise to three to four feet in some areas, submerging entire houses. Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Rocheli Fridman, directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Hoi An, have been assisting the community since opening a center there in October 2023.
“It started Monday morning with the intense rains following the typhoon,” Rabbi Fridman reported. “At first, it wasn’t serious, but the waters rose quickly. Some areas of the city are completely submerged. Entire houses are underwater.” The Fridmans’ home and the nearby Chabad Center both sustained water damage and are currently without electricity or running water. The Chabad House is a crucial resource for the many Israeli backpackers and Jewish tourists who visit the region each year, often hosting hundreds for Shabbat meals and holiday services – over 750 people attended Rosh Hashanah services this year.
Despite impassable roads, the Fridmans are working to provide food and assistance to those in need. This disaster highlights Vietnam’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, a growing concern as climate change intensifies. Those wishing to support the relief efforts and repair the Chabad House can donate here.
Officials expect floodwaters to remain for several days, and the Fridmans hope to resume regular Chabad House operations as soon as conditions improve.
