Jewish Federation of St. Louis has opened an emergency relief fund to provide aid and support to the victims of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunamis that struck Japan.   The fund may also provide aid to victims in other potential disaster zones such as Hawaii and California.  

Jewish Federation of St. Louis is among the more than 150 Federations across North America which make up the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).  JFNA is also working with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) to support international relief efforts.

The earthquake – the largest in Japan’s history – struck about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo on March 11.

Authorities in Japan estimate casualties will climb above 10,000 with thousands more injured.  In addition, more than a half-million have been evacuated – and remain homeless.  JFNA will continue to closely monitor the situation as details emerge.       

“Jewish Federations send our deepest sympathy to people affected by this terrible event,” said Jewish Federation of St. Louis President Sanford Neuman. “Our Jewish community is determined to provide emergency relief as quickly as possible and to work with our national and international partners to provide support over the longer term as well.”

Jewish Federations are committed to responding to global natural disasters, and have emergency relief plans into place to aid those in need. In 2005, Federations raised nearly $30 million for Hurricane Katrina victims, and almost $10 million in 2004 for those affected by the tsunami in southern Asia.

Secure, online donations to the St. Louis Jewish Federation Japan Relief Fund can be made at www.jewishinstlouis.org.  Checks can be mailed c/o Jewish Federation, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63112.