TEXAS โ Following the catastrophic floods that struck the Hill Country region of Texas earlier this month, Israeli humanitarian organization ZAKA Search and Rescue joined local and federal authorities in the recovery and identification of flood victims. ZAKAโs deployment at the request of Texas emergency officials underscored both the severity of the disaster and the longstanding cooperation between Israel and the United States in humanitarian response.
The floods, caused by a sudden and historic surge of the Guadalupe River, swept through multiple counties, resulting in significant loss of life and leaving several residents missing. In response, ZAKAโs specialized volunteer team flew in from Israel, working alongside Texas A&M Task Force 1 and under the supervision of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
ZAKAโs mission was headed by International Commander Nachman Dyksztejn and his wife, Valerie, both experienced responders. The operation was coordinated by ZAKA Director of International Relations Marnix van Ede, with support from U.S.-based ZAKA Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg.
ZAKAโs expertise was augmented by advanced technologies, including the use of an artificial intelligence model for flood mapping and targeted search, developed by Professor Barak Fishbein of Technion โ Israel Institute of Technology. This model helped authorities pinpoint high-probability areas for locating the missing, significantly improving the efficiency of recovery efforts.
โOur role is to ensure that every person who perished is found, recovered with care, and, where possible, laid to rest in accordance with their faith and traditions,โ said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. He emphasized the unique values behind ZAKAโs work, rooted in the Jewish tradition of kavod hamet, the sacred duty to honor the deceased.
โWe are not simply responding to a disaster but restoring dignity to those who are gone and compassion to those left behind,โ noted Commander Dyksztejn. The ZAKA teamโs actions reflected both professionalism and a spiritual mission to provide families with closure amidst tragedy.
The deployment was made possible through a coalition of U.S. and Israeli partners, including Bridges for Peace, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, the Berea community, local Jewish leadership, and the Israeli Consulate General in Houston. The Government of Israel played an integral role in supporting ZAKAโs presence and cooperation with American agencies.
Families of flood victims and local officials expressed deep gratitude for the assistance. โZAKAโs presence shows the world that care and respect for every human life transcends borders,โ said Rabbi Avraham Sheinberg of San Antonio.
โWe are here to ensure that even in the chaos of disaster, the dead are not forgotten and their traditions are not lost,โ said Rozenberg.
As operations concluded, ZAKA reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian service, guided by the conviction that upholding dignity and compassion remains paramount, even in the most challenging circumstances.
This article is based on verified information from ZAKA Search and Rescue, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Israeli Consulate General in Houston, and partner organizations involved in the Texas flood response.