From:

Peter J. Weidhorn, Chairman Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President

As you are no doubt aware, a severe earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale devastated Haiti yesterday afternoon. This is the most severe earthquake to hit that impoverished country in 200 years. The death toll is expected to reach thousands and it likely will be many days until the impact is fully known. The epicenter was near the capital of Port-au-Prince. Already there are reports that the presidential palace, a major hotel and the UN Headquarters collapsed, leaving hundreds buried in the rubble. According to the International Red Cross, as many as three million people have been affected by the quake.

The Reform Jewish community has a long history of generosity when natural disasters devastate communities around the world. Your generosity at this critical time enables us to play a role in recovery efforts and bring healing and hope to those whose lives have been affected. Donations to the Union for Reform Judaism Haiti Relief Fund can be made on-line or by check (note: Haiti Relief in the memo section) to:

Union for Reform Judaism
Attention: Development
633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10017

As you probably know, the Union has been engaged in disaster relief efforts for many years and has developed considerable expertise in this arena. The Union has significant contacts in place both in the community-at-large and within the Jewish community, and works with other organizations such as the JDC and AJWS to identify appropriate partners and ensure our resources are used where we can make an impact. Unlike other organizations, which often retain up to 15% of donations for overhead, the Union takes no administrative costs from disaster relief donations, with the exception of direct expenses such as credit card fees. On-going updates regarding the disaster relief efforts and the allocations from this fund will be posted at www.urj.org/relief.

The Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC) is a faith initiative started in 2001 to help the growing number of residents in Marquette County without health insurance. Temple Beth Sholom joined First Presbyterian Church, St Paul's Episcopal Church and the Catholic Faith Community as part of MCAC's intial organizing effort. The Temple's MCAC fund and the volunteer hours our congregation members put forth demonstrate our continued committment.

Judaism teaches if you save one life, it is as if you have saved the world.

MCAC coordinates volunteered and donated health care to uninsured, low-income, non-elderly adults who do not qualify for any State or Federal assistance. It is estimated that Marquette County has over 3,000 non-elderly adults who are uninsured. As people of faith, we must show our support for getting our family, friends and neighbors access to health care. MCAC's volunteer program has an average monthly enrollment of 540 people. Your assistance is needed more than ever. A donation of just $4 per week can supply a patient with all of of their prescribed medications. When paying your annual dues to Temple Beth Sholom, please also consider a donation to Temple Beth Sholom's MCAC fund. Clicking on this link will take you to information about donating to the Temple Beth Sholom MCAC Fund.