URGENT Zimbabwe Jewish Community Appeal

Please read the excerpts from an appeal letter from Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft of the African Jewish Congress. Though ChaiSA supports Savyon Lodge throughout the year it has become apparent that the extended Jewish community needs urgent additional financial support to combat the staggering need and the lack of basic food and resources.

Dear Friends,

The dire situation for the small and aging Zimbabwe Jewish Community of 290 has led to this appeal for help. Runaway inflation has left the pensioners and those in Savyon Lodge with valueless incomes.  People who retired comfortably with pensions only a few years ago cannot afford to buy a loaf of bread with their fixed incomes.  The cost of importing necessary items is prohibitive.

Financial support is needed to literally feed people, provide necessary medication and medical treatment and help run the modest community services which keep the Jewish Community together. Currently, food, medical distribution and substantial food parcels are being trucked to Harare and Bulawayo and distributed to members of the Jewish Community.  Medication, medical treatment and other welfare services are provided to the community via a community welfare committee.    
                                                                
Savyon Lodge has 25 residents and provides an oasis of peace and security to the aged members of the Jewish Community.  Kosher meals are provided to both residents and members of the Bulawayo Jewish Community.  Bulawayo Hebrew Congregation has the only full-time Rabbi from Israel and together Rabbi David Alima and his wife are doing amazing work to maintain the spirit and morale of the community.  They are maintaining daily Minyan, Schita, Chaggim, funerals and help at both Savyon Lodge and Carmel Jewish Day School.

This is an urgent and desperate appeal to all our readers and especially former members of the Zimbabwe Jewish Community around the world. As the situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate sharply, a small committee together with the reputable UK based charity World Jewish Relief www.worldjewishrelief.org.uk and ChaiSouthAfrica www.chaisouthafrica.com are appealing to you to reach out and help those whom are left behind struggling with these violent and turbulent times.

Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, who is the Country Communities Rabbi – South African Board of Deputies, the Spiritual Leader & CEO - African Jewish Congress (AJC) and the President of the AJC Zimbabwe Fund together with a committee of top leadership in Zimbabwe and with the guidance of the American Joint Distribution Committee are overseeing the distribution of these funds to the needy families.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation (USA and Canada) by going to www.chaisouthafrica.com, or use the attached form to mail in your generous donation.

This campaign will end August 15^th so that funds can be directed immediately to the South Africa Board of Deputies for distribution.

 UK residents please contact www.worldjewishrelief.org.uk to make your donations.

 On behalf of all the Zimbabwe Jewish Community and the African Jewish Congress Zimbabwe Fund we wish to thank you in advance for your generosity.

Donation Form

Three easy options for you to make your donation:

1. Use secure server online at www.chaisouthafrica.com for credit card tax deductible payments (Select “Donate NOW USA” or  ”Donate NOW Canada”)
2. UK residents please contact www.worldjewishrelief.org.uk to make your donations.
3. South Africans- Please forward to your family and friends overseas and to make a donation please contact Rabbi Silberhaft at SABOD at moshe@beyachad.co.za.
4. Israeli residents- please contact Dave Bloom at davegail@yahoo.com to make a donation.
5. All other countries make your donations through www.chaisouthafrica.com

Complete the form below and mail with your credit card information or check (payable to the Jewish Community Foundation, memo: ChaiSouthAfrica- ZIM Emergency Appeal) to:

Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego,

4950 Murphy Canyon Road,

San Diego, California, 92123

USA

Complete the form below with credit card information and fax to (858) 279-6105

Name(s):                                                                                                                                           

Address:                                                                                                                                           

City, State, Zip:                                                                                                                                

Phone:                                                             Email:                                                                      

¨ Check Number:        ¨ Credit Card Number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  Exp.Date:  _ _ /_ _

Visa/MC/AMEX (circle one)           Name on Credit Card:                                                                                                                                 Signature:                                                                

Please call Sharleen Wollach, Fund Development Officer at 858-505-8691 or email chaisa@jcfsandiego.org with any questions or to join one of our liaison committees.

 Thank you for your generosity.

Tax receipt from the Jewish Community Foundation will follow

4950 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, CA, 92123

Email: chaisa@jcfsandiego.org