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Update on Help for Haiti
January 20, 2010
Dear Members and Friends,
Thank you for responding to the request for donations to assist the people of Haiti. Our prayers extend to all the people of Haiti, their loved ones and all those involved in the relief efforts. We especially hold in our prayers the members of our Temple Israel staff who have family in Haiti.
During the service this past Friday evening, Wisly and Jeannie Bernard and Louis Montilus joined us on the beama for special prayers of healing for them and their loved ones in Haiti. At the time, Wisly had not yet been able to contact his mother or brother. Since then, Wisly has located his mother and brother but is still awaiting word on other relatives. Louis Montilus has been able to locate family in Haiti but is unable to reach them by phone.
Several staff from the Joni and Stanley Tate Early Childhood Center also have relatives in Haiti. While Stephanie Dugue's brother in-law was found alive, our security guard, Paul Rodin, lost two relatives. Eleven members of Yvonne Noel's husband's family died and six members of Wesline Vilfranc's family also died. Of the relatives who survived the earthquake, all lost their homes and livelihoods.
As a community of faith, it is incumbent upon us to reach out to these members of our temple family who are grieving and anxious about the fate of their loved ones. On Sunday morning, the clergy and several members of Temple Israel attended the service at Wisly, Jeannie and Louis' church where we received a warm welcome. All of us were deeply moved by the congregation's faith and strength in the face of such pain and loss.
What can we do to help our Temple Israel staff and all those who are suffering from this devastating earthquake? While the need for financial contributions continues, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is launching a community wide food drive from Wednesday, January 20th - Wednesday January 27th of the following items:
Applesauce
Canned Tuna
Canned Fruit
Evaporated Milk
Water
These items can be brought to the temple or dropped off at one of the following locations: Michael-Ann Russell JCC - Main Lobby, Miami Beach JCC or the Alper JCC - in the Fitness Center by Sunday, January 24th.
For further information, contact Laura Rodriguez, Senior Community Development Associate at 786-866-8680 or lrodriguez@gmjf.org.
Royal Caribbean (RCL) is also using their Labadee-destined ships to provide transportation of much needed supplies to the devastated island. These supplies will be distributed to the needy in Haiti through Food for the Poor. The following items for RCL may also be brought to the temple:
Water (maximum gallon)
Powdered Milk
Canned/boxed juices
Rice
Corn
Beans
Flour
Dried Pasta
Cereals
Baby Formula, Cereal, Food
Water purification tablets
Can openers
Soap
Tooth brushes and toothpaste
Lighters
Baby Bottles, Diapers, Wipes
Donations can still be made to the following funds:
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
As Deuteronomy 15 teaches, "If there is a needy person among you...you must open your hand and give whatever is sufficient to meet the need." Now is the time to act! Please continue to contribute money and food items to help the people of Haiti.
Thank you,
Jody Cohen Douglas M. Jacobs Gary Brown
Rabbi President Chair, Dorothy Serotta Social Justice Forum
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