Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

JRF is encouraging our member communities and people everywhere to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to the recent disasterous earthquake there. To expidite donations we are not setting up a separate donation fund, rather encouraging donations to our partner organizations who work directly on the ground in relief efforts. With a per capita income of $3.60 per day, Haiti is the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere. Thus, its population is especially vulnerable to natural disasters, such as the recent earthquake. Based on initial reports of widespread devastation and a high number of casualties, relief agencies anticipate that the immediate and long-term needs will be profound. Our prayers and our concrete actions are directed at this time to the many people in Haiti, both Haitian citizens and the many international visitors, aid workers and support people who have lost their lives and those who have lost loved ones. We also pray for the healing of those injured by the earthquake.

Prayers for the People of Haiti: http://jrf.org/Prayers-for-Haiti

Donations to AJWS's "Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund," which can be made at www.ajws.org/haitiearthquake, will enable AJWS's network of grantees in Haiti to meet the urgent needs of the population based on real-time, on-the-ground assessments.

The Jewish Federations of North America is partnering with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to provide aid and relief to victims http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=213133.

The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, of which JRF is an executive committee member participating in decisions on relief funding, is also responding long-term: http://www.jdc.org/jcdr_about.html.

MAZON, an external affiliate with JRF, is also responding to the situation, http://mazon.org/2010/01/13/mazon-launches-emergency-haiti-fund/

Joint Distribution Committee: https://www.jdc.org/donation/donate.aspx

Gig Pomerantz, a member of Shir Hadash, Milwaukee, WI, is President and Executive Director of Youthaiti, http://www.youthaiti.org/

For an extensive list of faith-based global relief organizations responding to the disaster see http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti

Jewish Communities Response: http://jta.org/news/article/2010/01/19/1010227/jewish-community-stands-behind-haiti

To find information about friends and family in Haiti: The U.S. State Department set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.

Click here for Reconstructionist movement and other general resources for living a sustainable, Jewish life!

http://jrf.org/Sustainable_Synagogue_Resources

http://jrf.org/Jewish-Climate-Change-Initiative

Faithful Reform- Interfaith Coalition for Healthcare“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?” --Jeremiah 8:22

JRF and our member communities have been actively supporting the need for healthcare reform in the United States. We will continue to join other Jewish religious movements and organizations to this end. Please join with other faith communities in the Interfaith Virtual Vigil of Prayer, Hope, and Action, a daily prayer and advocacy initiative from now until heathcare reform is passed. Also see http://delicious.com/JRFtikkun/healthcare for additional resources.

As people of faith, we envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity.

That vision as collectively articulated by the interfaith coalition Faithful Reform for Healthcare and the former "We Believe" interfaith action, embraces a system of health care that is inclusive... accessible... affordable... and accountable.  read more »

JRF is pleased to share its Strategic Plan with you. In addition to statements of our mission, general vision and programmatic vision, it contains 3-5 year goals relating to education, strengthening congregations, strengthening the Reconstructionist Movement, as well matters relating to operations, governance and administrative systems.

 read more »

  Join a unified effort to raise disability awareness and  support efforts to foster inclusion in Jewish communities worldwide

 www.jsped.org

JRF Resources http://jrf.org/node/1743

The mission of Jewish Disability Awareness Month is to unite Jewish communities and organizations for the purpose of raising awareness and supporting meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities and their families in every aspect of Jewish life.  

During Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month You Can 

1.  Offer programs on disability awareness in your community
2.  Dedicate a Shabbat worship service to inclusion and the contributions of children and adults who have disabilities
3. Participate in a community-wide disability awareness event such as the showing of “Autistic License” or any of the fine films listed on our website
4. Start a Committee on Inclusion

For additional information contact Shelly Christensen at Schristensen@jfcsmpls.org  952-542-4838 

The Jewish Special Education International  Consortium is a professional network of directors, coordinators and administrators of Jewish special education services in Central Agencies for Jewish Education and/or Inclusion of People with Disabilities and is affiliated with JESNA.