For Immediate Release: August 26, 2005

Media Contact: Claire Ellman
858-546-1779
chaisouthafrica@aol.com

ChaiSouthAfrica, an international grassroots nonprofit organization that
raises funds for Jewish residential homes for the Aged and handicapped in
Southern Africa has received a $50,000 challenge grant to assist residents
of Savyon Lodge, the home for the Jewish aged in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. All
donations are tax deductible and will help provide critical services to
those in need. This challenge grant expires September 30, 2005.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to give dignity and respect to our
elders, a fundamental Jewish value," noted Claire Ellman, Co-Founder of
ChaiSouthAfrica. "Every dollar contributed to Savyon until September 30th
will be matched, leveraging our ability to offer assistance."

About 35 individuals live at Savyon Lodge. Most of the residents have stayed
behind whilst their family have been forced to immigrate in order to provide
a secure life for themselves. Once home to a flourishing community of 6,000
Jews, Bulawayo's Jewish population now numbers about 300.

Moira Schneider, from the JTA wrote about the problems facing Zimbabwe last
month. "People who thought they'd provided well for their old age find that
is no longer the case," said Shelley Lasker, a Jewish day school teacher in
Bulawayo. The plummeting economy in Zimbabwe, a crisis in the political
situation and devalued Zimbabwe dollar compounds the situation.

Hylton Solomon, a leader of the Zimbabwe Jewish community, stated "there
are so few people who earn a salary sufficient to enable them to contribute
to its upkeep, the community tries to solicit donations, including from
former Zimbabweans. "The worldwide Jewish community needs to awaken to this
cause and help restore the level of dignity the community sorely deserves,"
said Co-founder Ellman". The anonymous donor, a former South African now
living in Chicago made this most generous pledge and he hopes that Jews all
over the world will come forward and make donations. "Every gift even if it
is $18 counts", he said.

ChaiSouthAfrica is a component fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of
San Diego, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. For more information on
making a gift to the Savyon Lodge or to any of the homes supported by
ChaiSouthAfrica, call 858-546-1779 (PST) or visit www.chaisouthafrica.com.