Jewish Federations Support JDC's Fund to Help Victims of Haiti Earthquake

We are partnering with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to provide aid and relief to victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday.

We urge you to donate to the JDC Haiti Relief Fund.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck about 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday evening. The worst earthquake ever experienced by Haiti has left thousands dead and injured. Some 3 million Haitians may face hardship in the aftermath of this disaster.

An Israeli aid delegation landed in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince on Friday night. Around 220 soldiers and officers are in the delegation, including 120 medical staff that will operate an emergency field hospital. An IDF plane loaded with equipment was expected to land shortly after the staff. Read More

We are proud to be a part of The Jewish Federations of North America, which represents a continental Federation movement whose collective power makes an extraordinary impact on our global community and beyond, whenever and wherever the need, in collaboration with our historic partner agencies.

The Jewish Federations is coordinating with The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, which brings together the experience, expertise, and additional resources of North American Jewish organizations to assist victims of natural or man-made disasters on a non-sectarian basis. The coalition, managed by JDC, consists of organizations such as the Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, World ORT, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, American Jewish World Service and American Jewish Committee, to name a few. The coalition’s work maximizes the resources, coordinates the activities of its member agencies, informs the public about the disaster situation and the Jewish response, and demonstrates the long tradition of Jewish humanitarianism during times of crisis.

"Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy in a nation already suffering from so many challenges,” said Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America.

“Working with our partners at JDC, The Jewish Federations of North America hopes to provide assistance and comfort to the people of Haiti, by using the reach of our continental movement for the deepest possible impact."

In the wake of the Southeast Asia tsunami, the Federation movement raised more than $10 million for the JDC's $18 million-plus relief effort. The Federation movement spearheaded a nearly $30 million aid effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, creating a blueprint for collective disaster relief. The Jewish Federations of North America has also opened its own disaster relief funds when Jewish communities were affected in other disasters, such as fires that swept across Southern California.