Houston (JTA) — An elderly Jewish couple was among the victims of the flooding that swept through Houston last week.
Shirley and Jack Alter died when their rescue boat suffered engine failure and capsized in the rushing floodwaters on May 26, the Houston-based Jewish Herald-Voice reported.
The couple — Shirley Alter was 85 and Jack Alter was 87 — had on life jackets but were not physically strong enough to withstand the strong current. The couple’s 55-year-old daughter was able to float to safety, the Jewish Herald-Voice reported.
The Alters were among at least nine people killed in last week’s flooding. Three Houston synagogues were flooded and damaged during the storm: United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston; Congregation Beth Israel, a reform synagogue; and the Meyerland Minyan, an Orthodox synagogue.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is collecting money for a flood relief fund. The Jewish Federations of North America is sending Houston’s Jews $25,000 for urgent assistance.
