Temple Rodeph Torah has generously agreed to adopt the Pierce family and will be financially supporting rebuilding work on their home. Please consider joining your fellow congregants in this effort to return the Pierce family home!

For more information, please click here to read a letter from Rabbi Don Weber about the Pierce family adoption.

Desiree Pierce is a Sea Bright, New Jersey native, who works as a ticket agent for Jet Blue Airlines at Newark International Airport.

When Hurricane Sandy struck, floodwaters inundated Desiree’s home rising as high as her neck. As she describes, “everything downstairs was floating—it did not matter how heavy it was—it was floating.” Desiree has lived in Sea Bright for her entire life and said she never experienced anything like Superstorm Sandy.

When the water receded, Desiree and her three children had nowhere to go, and initially sought refuge at relief shelters. After temporarily living in a motel, the family finally found an apartment to rent, which happens to be across the street from their beloved Sea Bright home. The past 16 months have been very difficult emotionally and financially for the family as Desiree is balancing the costs of both a mortgage and monthly rent.

Living in such close proximity to their Sandy-damaged home, Desiree and her children are constantly reminded of the life they used to have and long for the day they will regain a sense of normalcy. When asked what returning home means to her, Desiree said, “Sometimes I stare across the street and imagine what it will be like when I am finally able to return home. I imagine cooking in MY kitchen, sitting on MY furniture, sleeping in MY bed, and standing on MY porch—gazing out at the river and breathing a huge sigh of relief.”

Desiree is excited to be Sea Bright Rising’s first client in Sea Bright,NJ and she is very eager to return home this June. Desiree is extremely grateful for the congregation of Temple Rodeph Torah's support.

SEA BRIGHT RISING INC

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Help the Pierce Family Return Home