Last Israeli feared missing in Haiti contacts family

'Last Israeli feared missing in Haiti contacts family'- Jerusalem Post

Israeli official arrives in Haiti to 'devastation on every corner' - Haaretz - Israel News

Israeli official arrives in Haiti to 'devastation on every corner' - Haaretz - Israel News

UPDATE: Relief for Haiti earthquake victims

(Photo: Matt Marek/American Red Cross) 
See today's report: Jewish Groups Mobilizing Aid for Haiti Quake from the JTA.

• Cash donations avoid the complicated, costly, and time-consuming process of collecting, sorting, packing, transporting, unloading, resorting, storing, repackaging, and distributing donated goods and cash donations also help get the local economy back on its feet. According to NYC OEM, New York City government operations will not be able to support efforts to gather and distribute donated goods.
• Learn about new IRS regulations about Haiti-related donations here.
  
• Beware of fraud. Some fraudsters have already come forward to take advantage of people's generosity, see the FBI alert here.
• Credible responding agencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security donors to visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding agencies for international emergencies and www.give.org to get valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities

Click on the following links to find out more and to donate to these worthy causes:

• The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief (an arm of the JDC) is the lead agency for the Jewish Federations of North America (including our own UJA-Federation of New York). JDC is currently supporting Heart to Heart International to support search-and-rescue efforts; food, water and clothing; temporary shelters; medical aid, equipment, and psycho-trauma services to victims of the earthquake. JDC is also working with the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces and has purchased critical medical equipment for its field hospital, including infant incubators for its neonatal unit and orthopedic devices. Further partnerships are being explored for the next phase of JDC's support for Haiti's victims. Click here to donate through UJA-Federation. Find out more about their efforts.
• American Jewish Committee.
  
• American Jewish World Service
• American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross. To help immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill ($4 million was raised through texting yesterday). Read Terry Bischoff's moving description of ARC's activities here.
• B'nai B'rith International.
• K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations)
• Magen David Adom
  
• Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
• National Council of Young Israel.
• Orthodox Union.
• Samuel Dalembert Foundation
• UJA-Federation of New York
  
• Union for Reform Judaism
• UNICEF. 
• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
• World ORT.
• ZAKA
  

JDC Partners to Aid Victims of Earthquake in Haiti

Medical Professionals Flown to Haiti Tonight to Assist with Disaster Relief

NEW YORK, NY, January 14, 2010-The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the world's largest Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, is collecting funds on a non-sectarian basis for relief efforts following the catastrophic earthquake, the worst in over 200 years, that struck Haiti.

“Responding to the earthquake in Haiti, JDC has purchased critical medical equipment for the field hospital of the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leaving tonight for Haiti. The equipment includes two infant incubators and ten orthopedic devices for stabilizing fractures that will provide the emergency relief team with the tools needed to save lives following this terrible disaster. The equipment will arrive tomorrow together with a 30-member team of medical professionals being flown to Haiti tonight to provide critical medical services to the survivors of Tuesday’s earthquake. JDC has previously partnered successfully with the IDF Medical Corps in Turkey,” said Steven Schwager, JDC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Ofer Merin, Vice President of Share Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem and Chief of its Trauma Unit, is leading the IDF team to set up the field hospital onsite, in his army reserve duty, Dr. Merin is the Chief of Army Field Hospitals.

“Dr. Merin was very touched to find out that JDC will be providing assistance. He was noticeably moved when he heard that American Jewry is willing to provide assistance to an Israel Medical Team,” explained Schwager.

In addition, JDC is allocating $50,000 to Heart to Heart International, Inc. for medical aid, equipment and services to provide immediate relief and assistance to the citizens of Haiti in their tragic hour. Heart to Heart International improves global health through humanitarian initiatives that connect people and resources to a world in need. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart has delivered nearly $800 million worth of aid (U.S. wholesale value) to more than 100 countries, including the United States.

JDC continues to conduct a full and rapid assessment of the situation on the ground, and is reaching out to its network of partners to determine immediate needs of the hardest-hit areas. These efforts are part of JDC's International Development Program (IDP), which provides immediate relief and long-term assistance to victims of natural and manmade disasters. JDC and its partners worldwide have implemented similar relief efforts in more than 60 countries. Many IDP-operated programs around the world are ongoing and are helping to rebuild infrastructure and community life in disaster-stricken regions.

To Make a Contribution:

Online: www.jdc.org

By Phone: 212-687-6200

By Mail: check payable to

JDC-Haiti Earthquake Relief

P.O. Box 530

132 East 43rd St

New York, NY, 10017

Contacts:

Beth D. Weinstein/JDC/(212) 885-0820

beth.weinstein@jdcny.org

Michael Geller/JDC/(212) 885-0838

michael.geller@jdcny.org

About the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

Since 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has given global expression to the principle that all Jews are responsible for one another. Working today in over 70 countries, JDC acts on behalf of North America's Jewish communities and others to rescue Jews in danger, provide relief to those in distress, revitalize overseas Jewish communities and help Israel overcome the social challenges of its most vulnerable citizens. JDC also provides non-sectarian emergency relief and long-term development assistance worldwide. For more information, please log on to: www.JDC.org

Report on the Jews in Haiti

There are no reform or conservative shuls in Haiti and no Chabad presence. Reports from JDC are that the 7 Jews residents in Haiti are safe. Haaretz reports that even as an Israeli rescue team to preparing to depart for the disaster-stricken country, eight Israelis remained unaccounted for in Haiti, among them the daughter of late Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan. The rescue team includes elite army corps engineers and medical corps ready to deploy field hospital, the Israeli consulate in New York reported.

Rabbi Shimon Pelman, the Chabad Schaliach in the Dominican Republic (on the western half of the same island, three hours drive from the earthquake location) heads the Jewish organization to closest to Haiti. He also reports that there was no damage to the small Jewish community in Haiti. Rabbi Pelman is working in conjunction with the Israeli ambassador and others in the region. He will be meeting incoming Israeli delegation with the Israeli Consul General in Santo Domingo at the airport.

Rabbi Pelman contacted most of the Jews (some were fortunately were out of town), but not all. Hopefully the JDC information about them is correct.If anyone needs assistance please be in contact with him directly:

Rabbi Shimon Pelman, office (it’s an NY number) 718-504-1990, Cell (us number) 1-829-341-2770
Email Chabaddominican@gmail.com or http://www.chabadominican.com/

Rabbi Mendel Sharfstein at Lubavitch Headquarters in Brooklyn is coordinating relief efforts with  the Shluchim of that region,  if anyone needs additional assistance he can be reached at 718-774-4000, msharfstein@lubavitch.com.

Cash Donations are Best for Haiti Earthquake Relief

NYC OEM encourages anyone wishing to contribute to relief efforts for the recent earthquake in Haiti to give cash to disaster relief organizations (like through Network for Good). You may also make donations through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which will be directing contributions to organizations working in the affected areas. Why cash? Cash donations allow relief agencies to purchase goods that meet victims' needs and help support the local economy.

• Learn more about the Mayor's Fund
• Jewish communal responses
  
  

Relief for Haiti earthquake victims

UPDATED Jan. 26, 2010

• Cash donations avoid the complicated, costly, and time-consuming process of collecting, sorting, packing, transporting, unloading, resorting, storing, repackaging, and distributing donated goods and cash donations also help get the local economy back on its feet. According to NYC OEM, New York City government operations will not be able to support efforts to gather and distribute donated goods. Links to many credible channels are listed below.
• Learn about new IRS regulations about Haiti-related contributions here.
  
• Beware of fraud. Some fraudsters have already come forward to take advantage of people's generosity, see the FBI alert here.
• Credible responding agencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security donors to visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding agencies for international emergencies and www.give.org to get valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities

Click on the following links to find out more and to donate to these worthy causes:

• The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief (an arm of the JDC) is the lead agency for the Jewish Federations of North America (including our own UJA-Federation of New York). JDC is currently supporting Heart to Heart International to support search-and-rescue efforts; food, water and clothing; temporary shelters; medical aid, equipment, and psycho-trauma services to victims of the earthquake. JDC is also working with the Medical Corps of the Israel Defense Forces and has purchased critical medical equipment for its field hospital, including infant incubators for its neonatal unit and orthopedic devices. Further partnerships are being explored for the next phase of JDC's support for Haiti's victims. Click here to donate through UJA-Federation. Find out more about their efforts.
• American Jewish Committee.
  
• American Jewish World Service
• American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross. To help immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.  Read Terry Bischoff's moving description of ARC's activities here.
• B'nai B'rith International.
• K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations)
• Magen David Adom
  
• Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
• Mazon
  
• National Council of Young Israel.
• Orthodox Union.
• Samuel Dalembert Foundation
• UJA-Federation of New York
  
• Union for Reform Judaism
• UNICEF. 
• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
• Workmen's Circle.
  
• World ORT.
• ZAKA
  

Deadline for OHS nonprofit security survey Friday, Jan. 15

We received the following from our good friend, NY OHS Director Tom Donlon:

Thank you once again for your continued assistance in notifying your membership of the New York State Office of Homeland Security’s (OHS) non-profit homeland security preparedness study and online survey available on our website, www.security.state.ny.us. 

                I write one final time to ask you to remind your members that the deadline for submitting a completed survey is this Friday, January 15^th.  As I stated in my December 28^th email, we are making every effort to ensure broad participation in this study through OHS’ online survey and your past  efforts in bringing awareness to this study has been very instrumental in receiving many responses from organizations across the state.

                If you have questions regarding the non-profit homeland security preparedness study, or if we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact OHS’ Acting General Counsel, Thomas K. McCarren, at (212) 849-4467.

Sincerely,

Thomas G. Donlon

If you haven't already done so please take a few minutes to respond. Thanks.

Enroll in FDNY's CPR to Go

Learning CPR just got a little easier.

The FDNY has partnered with NYC Service and New York Sports Clubs (NYSC) to launch FDNY CPR to Go, a program that offers free CPR classes at gym locations throughout the five boroughs.

Participants in every class learn basic CPR skills from a member of the FDNY Emergency Medical Service. Volunteers for the class follow along using the CPR Anytime Personal Learning Kit, which features an instructional DVD and an inflatable mannequin. All participants are asked to take home the kit and pledge to show five of their family members and friends how to perform CPR.

Register online at:http://www.nyc.gov/cprtogo

Learn more about the FDNY at: http://www.nyc.gov/fdny

JCRC hosts workshop & webinar on homland security grants

On Monday, January 4, 2010 the JCRC held its first workshop and webinar on "Accessing the 2010 Nonprofit Security Grants Program." Steve Tierney from the New York State Office of Homeland Security and David Pollock of the JCRC presented. View the presentation here.