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| UJA Hurricane Relief September 14, 2005 Dear Friends, Times of emergency test us in many ways. We've all seen images of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the heartbreaking challenges facing the people of the Gulf Coast. Many of us have wondered what we could do. We are proud that, with your help, UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey (UJA NNJ) acted immediately and our community responded quickly to this disaster. First, we established a Hurricane Katrina Fund for donations from the northern New Jersey Jewish community. In one week, nearly $200,000 was raised from hundreds of donors-and more contributions are coming in daily. One hundred percent of these funds will go directly to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Second, UJA NNJ professionals have maintained daily contact with our national partners, United Jewish Communities (UJC), for up-to-the- minute reports about the Jewish and general communities, and the response efforts of major national disaster organizations and the affected Jewish communities' federations. Third, our UJA NNJ Executive Committee, in a special meeting, authorized immediate disbursement of $75,000 for disaster relief. The Board of Trustees then committed to add $50,000 from UJA NNJ funds to the eventual total amount raised. The Trustees felt that the best way to respond to the many aid requests was to work with other federations through UJC which has experience coordinating national and international mobilizations with other disaster relief organizations. To date, $125,000 has been wired by UJA NNJ to: American Red Cross ($50,000 for general relief) Houston Jewish Federation ($50,000 to feed evacuees from New Orleans) New Orleans Jewish Federation ($25,000 to assist the Jewish community) Fourth, up to $10,000 has been reserved as a local fund to aid NNJ families who need help relocating relatives from the Gulf Coast and to meet other local needs that arise from the disaster. These funds will be made available to our community's two Jewish Family Service agencies as needed. UJA NNJ is monitoring the situation to determine the most effective response. This is part of our mission and our volunteers and professional staff are united in their commitment to this project. Many members of the Jewish community have offered their homes and others have offered to donate items. We are forwarding these offers to the appropriate agencies. To make a secure donation-or an added donation-to the Hurricane Katrina Fund, please visit www.ujannj.org or call (201) 488-6800. Checks made payable to the UJANNJ - Hurricane Katrina Fund can also be sent to: UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey Hurricane Katrina Fund 111 Kinderkamack Road River Edge, New Jersey 07661 UJA Federation takes action whenever and wherever Jews are in need, in Israel, locally and around the world. Whether responding to an unprecedented emergency anywhere in the world or insuring that the day-to-day needs of our fellow Jews are being met, we are there. We thank you for joining us and your neighbors in the northern New Jersey community in responding to this crisis. With thanks, Daniel Silna Howard E. Charish President Executive Vice President
Please visit our federation website at www.ujannj.org for more information, a short list of Frequently Asked Questions, and links to other Hurricane Relief-related websites. Please be in touch with us by emailing welcome@ujannj.org if you need any further information.
Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes, Claudia Colbert, Treasurer |
