JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation of New York hosted a reception to welcome Ambassador Asaf Zamir, the new Consul General of Israel in New York.  The event featured the Ambassador in conversation with JCRC-NY Executive Vice President and CEO Gideon Taylor about his goals in this new role, which Gideon described as “a beacon to and from Israel that can carry not just people, but a vision….” The Consul General discussed the special relationship between the NY Jewish community and the State of Israel and his short and long-term priorities of reaching out to the younger generation and emerging leaders.

UJA-Federation President Amy Bressman opened the reception and welcomed leaders from the Jewish and diverse religious and ethnic communities, as well as local government.  Guests included Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, NYC Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Rev. Jacques DeGraff, UJA-Federation CEO Eric S. Goldstein, UJA-Federation Past President John Shapiro, JCRC-NY President Cheryl Fishbein, and JCRC-NY CEO Emeritus Michael S. Miller.

Click image below to watch webinar.

Click image below to watch webinar.

The earthquake in Haiti has brought untold suffering and loss to this already devastated country. Over 1,400 people have perished and thousands are wounded.  More than 36,000 homes were destroyed leaving families homeless and in desperate need of aid and assistance.  Now, the Haitian people are suffering through a hurricane, which further threatens the remaining stable infrastructure.  There is an immediate need for goods and on-the-ground services to alleviate some of the suffering and help the people of Haiti.

As New York’s primary community relations organization, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) frequently partners with the local Haitian community, including our partners in the Haitian-American Caucus and Diaspora Community Services, in a variety of quality of life coalitions.  We work together on eliminating healthcare disparities, accessing COVID-19 relief and on achieving food justice.  Our Haitian Leadership Fellowship has helped dozens of emerging leaders within our city’s Haitian community by empowering them to respond to their community’s complex needs in New York and in Haiti.  Following the devastation caused by the earthquake of 2010, JCRC-NY partnered with local Haitian leaders to identify and secure relief funds.

Today, our close partners in New York’s Haitian leadership have identified several trusted and capable organizations that are providing direct aid on the ground in Haiti and to the families and friends in New York that have been affected by the devastation.  In addition, Jewish community organizations have also mobilized and established funds to assist the Haitian people. These organizations need our support.

Please help by donating now to the organizations below:

• Afya Foundation: Afya provides an environmentally-sensitive, community-oriented solution to help address the critical shortage of medical supplies in underserved communities around the world. Afya is currently sending flights to Haiti daily in order to supply medical supplies. Reach out if supplies are needed.
• Ayiti Community Trust: Ayiti Community Trust’s (ACT) mission is to support and sustain development innovation in Ayiti in the areas of civic education, environment, and entrepreneurship. ACT will ensure that the contributions are channeled to local Haitian-led organizations in Ayiti.
• Beraca Community Development Organization: Beraca Community Development Organization (BCDC) is a 501c3 nonprofit established in 2001 and has been serving in the US and Haiti ever since. BCDC exists to rebuild, repair and restore lives and communities. BCDC has provided relief and restoration for every natural disaster in the last 10 years.
• CapraCare Haiti: CapraCare Haiti’s mission is to provide access to medical care, mental health, health education, and professional development services, regardless of the ability to pay.
• The Haitian Women’s Collective: Haitian Women’s Collective’s mission is to use our shared expertise and power to advance health, education, civic engagement, leadership and opportunities for diverse communities in Haiti. We achieve our mission by investing in and strengthening, the capacity of women-led organizations and movements to advance meaningful and lasting social, cultural and economic change.
• IsraAid Emergency Response Fund: IsraAID is deploying an emergency response team, including Haitian former staff members, to distribute relief items and assess needs in the affected area. We are glad that Israel has once again sent a team to aid in the response.
• Joint Distribution Committee Haiti Earthquake Relief: JDC has activated its emergency response team, along with its longstanding network of local partners, to deliver emergency aid. 
• Met Council Haiti Emergency Relief Fund: Met Council is lending its expertise, resources, and support to help Haitians impacted by the earthquake.
• UJA Federation Haiti Disaster Relief

JCRC-NY hosted a special Community Relations Corner webcast featuring leaders of the New York Haitian community Carine Jocelyn, CEO of Diaspora Community Services, and Hon. Farah Louis, New York City Council Member Representing District 45, to share information and perspective.  Click here to watch the full episode.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a time of renewal and hope, please open your hearts and support these organizations as they come to the immediate aid of the people of Haiti.