Federation raises $100,000 in first week of Katrina appeal

by Robert Wiener
NJJN Staff Writer

Teaming up with national and local agencies, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey is offering money and moral support to thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

As of Tuesday, UJC MetroWest had raised more than $100,000.

Carolyn Fefferman, associate at MetroWest’s Community Relations Committee, is coordinating the efforts at immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery.

“It’s most important that people should donate money,” she said, “but we are trying to provide other volunteer opportunities that MetroWest constituents can do for Katrina’s victims. Some people have offered their homes for those who might want to relocate to this area for employment opportunities. And there will be other things needed along the way, and we will be trying to keep up with those needs.”

The CRC also contacted the NJ Red Cross and the Salvation Army to find out ways the MetroWest community can help victims. UJC MetroWest executive vice president Max Kleinman said the organization has made Hurricane Katrina a priority.

He said that the federations’ national body, United Jewish Communities, is focused on raising monetary donations right now. Additionally, it will begin to compile a database of those who wish to offer long-term housing of nine months or more for people who wish to relocate to this area.

Relief funds raised by the Jewish community will be made available for both the Jewish and the general communities in New Orleans as well as other Gulf Coast areas affected, said Arthur Sandman, associate executive vice president for program services at UJC MetroWest. “We will be working in conjunction with the Jewish federations in those communities,” said Sandman. “In a situation like this, I feel we should respond on three levels — as human beings, as Americans, and as Jews. We can’t help but be affected by the suffering of people wherever they might be.”

“It is like everything else that we do,” said UJC MetroWest president Kenneth R. Heyman. “It is done swiftly and effectively, and it is just the beginning of a local response. I think it is wonderful how we come together on this. And it makes me proud to be a member of this community.”

To learn about ways to help, visit the national UJC Web site at www.ujcnj.org. The site will be updated frequently with new information.

Robert Wiener can be reached at rwiener@njjewishnews.com.