On January 12, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. The death toll is expected to reach 200,000 and the full impact of the earthquake is still not known. The epicenter was near the capital of Port-au-Prince, and the presidential palace, a major hotel, and the UN headquarters have collapsed, leaving hundreds buried in the rubble. It is devastating watching the death toll rise, and seeing how many people have been affected by this calamitous quake.
The Jewish community has a history of being generous in times of tragedy and disaster throughout the world. At this time, we must all play a critical role in the recovery efforts of bringing healing and hope to those whose lives have been affected.
Cornell Hillel, in conjunction with the Cornell Center for Jewish Living (CJL) is responding with Charity Shabbat: Kosher Creole for a Cause. We've designed a Creole-themed Shabbat dinner and are asking you, a loyal supporter of Cornell Hillel/the CJL to support us. You can donate either a flat amount or a certain amount per attendee. For example, if you pledge $1 per attendee and 100 people attend, you donate $100. We plan to donate all funds raised to American Jewish World Service, an organization that already has an ongoing relationship on the ground in Haiti.
In response to the earthquake, AJWS has created the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to send immediate emergency aid to communities affected by this disaster. Particular focus is being placed on aiding populations in the crisis zone that have not already been targeted for large-scale relief, such as poor and rural areas outside Port-au-Prince. AJWS has been working in Haiti since 1999, and their long-standing partnerships in the region have enabled them to send funding directly to our grantees in hard-hit areas on the ground. 95% of donations will go directly to Haiti, only 5% will be used for administration and overhead, so partners on the ground can address the most immediate needs. Your contribution to AJWS's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will go directly to:* Support search and rescue efforts by community volunteers
* Provide food and shelter for survivors
* Provide emergency health services and education to help reduce the second wave of casualties due to wounds, contamination from corpses and human waste
* Clear roadways to facilitate rescue and distribution of emergency supplies
* Provide emergency psychosocial support to survivors
Charity Shabbat will be happening March 12, 6:30 PM at the Center for Jewish Living