The lives of millions of people were literally shaken, destroyed and forever changed when the January 12th earthquake struck the densely populated country of Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which struck about 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, is the worst earthquake ever experienced by Haiti.

Tens of thousands are feared dead from the immediate impact, with thousands more injured and an estimated 3 million Haitians may face hardship in the aftermath. As injuries and fatalities are being assessed and rescue efforts are being coordinated and launched, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (JFLV) is accepting financial contributions for the massive relief efforts.

The Jewish Federations of North America is coordinating with the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief to assist victims of natural or man-made disasters on a nonsectarian basis. The coalition is managed by the JDC, which is the Jewish Federations’ foreign aid agency, and consists of organizations including the Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, World ORT, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, AJWS and American Jewish Committee, among others.

Throughout our history, the Jewish community has marshaled collective energy and resources to break impenetrable barriers and to accomplish the impossible.  Whether the challenge has been a wildfire, a natural disaster, a war or an economy in turmoil, time and again we have met the challenge with strength. We are here for each other.  Together, we build our community, and together, we lift up our neighbors who are most vulnerable.

Working with our partners we hope to provide assistance and comfort to the people of Haiti, by using the reach of our national collective movement for the deepest possible impact.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is now accepting donations.

Click the donate now button on this page or send us a check, payable to "JFLV" and mail it to:

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
ATTN: Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund
702 North 22nd Street
Allentown, PA 18104

All contributions collected will be forwarded to appropriate relief organizations for non-sectarian, humanitarian relief to provide aid to the victims of the devastating earthquake.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is part of a national partnership movement whose collective power makes an extraordinary impact on our global community and beyond, whenever and wherever the need.

Locally, our Annual Campaign structure is what enables us to reach out quickly; nationally, our participation in the collective leverages the strength of the local campaigns across the country to make an impact in a meaningful way.

The Jewish Federations of North America (formerly UJC) is coordinating with The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, which brings together the experience, expertise, and additional resources of North American Jewish organizations to assist victims of natural or man-made disasters on a non-sectarian basis. The coalition, managed by the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), consists of organizations such as the Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, World ORT, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, American Jewish World Service and American Jewish Committee, to name a few.

The coalition’s work maximizes the resources, coordinates the activities of its member agencies, informs the public about the disaster situation and the Jewish response, and demonstrates the long tradition of Jewish humanitarianism during times of crisis. 

A Jewish presence in Haiti dates back to 1492; the interpreter on Christopher Columbus’ ship was Luis de Torres, a Converso. Today, Haiti’s Jewish population is approximately 25, centered around Port-au-Prince, the earthquake epicenter. Haiti and Israel have full diplomatic relations.