|
January 13, 2010
27 Tevet 5770
|
To: |
|
URJ Congregational
Leadership |
|
|
|
|
From: |
|
Peter J. Weidhorn, Chairman
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President
|
|
|
|
|
Subject: |
|
Haiti Relief
Fund |
As you are no doubt
aware, a severe earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale
devastated Haiti yesterday afternoon. This is the most severe
earthquake to hit that impoverished country in 200 years. The
death toll is expected to reach thousands and it likely will
be many days until the impact is fully known. The epicenter
was near the capital of Port-au-Prince. Already there are
reports that the presidential palace, a major hotel and the UN
Headquarters collapsed, leaving hundreds buried in the rubble.
According to the International Red Cross, as many as three
million people have been affected by the quake.
The Reform
Jewish community has a long history of generosity when natural
disasters devastate communities around the world. Your
generosity at this critical time enables us to play a role in
recovery efforts and bring healing and hope to those whose
lives have been affected. Donations to the Union for Reform
Judaism Haiti Relief Fund can be made
on-line or by check
(note: Haiti Relief in the memo section) to:
Union for Reform Judaism
Attention:
Development
633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY
10017
As you
probably know, the Union has been engaged in disaster relief
efforts for many years and has developed considerable
expertise in this arena. The Union has significant contacts in
place both in the community-at-large and within the Jewish
community, and works with other organizations such as the JDC
and AJWS to identify appropriate partners and ensure our
resources are used where we can make an impact. Unlike other
organizations, which often retain up to 15% of donations for
overhead, the Union takes no administrative costs from
disaster relief donations, with the exception of direct
expenses such as credit card fees. On-going updates regarding
the disaster relief efforts and the allocations from this fund
will be posted at www.urj.org/relief.
To unsubscribe please send
a note to optout@urj.org.
Please know that the Union for Reform Judaism does not sell,
market or distribute e-mail addresses (see the privacy policy
at www.urj.org/privacy ).
|