Haiti Relief Fund: Montreal Jewish Community Supports Haiti

MONTREAL , Jan. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti , Montreal's Jewish community has mobilized to provide support. FEDERATION CJA immediately asked members of the community to join the global effort to assist the Haitian people. To date, over $100,000 has been donated.

The funds are being disbursed through three organizations that are working on the ground in Haiti . One third is being provided to the Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca), which is doing essential relief work in the country. One third is going to the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC at www.jdc.org), which is partnering with Heart to Heart International (www.hearttoheart.org) to provide immediate medical aid, equipment, and services to victims of the earthquake, and is also working with an Israeli team of medical professionals that has set up a field hospital to care for those affected by the quake. One third is being provided to the ONEXONE Foundation (www.ONEXONE.org), which has been working in Haiti since 2006 and is already delivering medical and other urgently needed supplies.

Federation is proud to be partnering with the ALDO Groupe which has made a major donation to the fund and is also matching the donations of its Head Office team members. In addition, FEDERATION CJA's Maimonides Society is joining forces with The Jewish General Hospital to amass a group of doctors and nurses who are prepared to travel to Haiti to work in field hospitals. It is hoped that arrangements will be finalized for their departure in the coming days.

On January 12, 2010 , at 5 p.m. Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to strike the Caribbean nation in 200 years. This desperately poor country cries out for help at this critical time. Montreal's Jewish community feels deep compassion for the Haitians' plight and is coming to the assistance of the vulnerable by standing in solidarity with them today. The Canadian government will be matching donations up to $50 million .

FEDERATION CJA, the central address for Jewish philanthropy and community service in Montreal , continues to encourage donations through our website at www.federationcja.org or call 514 345-2600.

For further information: Howard Krosnick, Director, Marketing & Communications, [phone], ext. 3241, [email protected]