No one can be prouder than the Jewish and Israeli communities – from the much-lauded field hospitals, to the millions raised by NGOs – even the media has highlighted our impressive work. As a primary Jewish value, tikkun olam unites us all in our desire to build a better world – and our institutional and grassroots bodies have been wonderfully effective in rallying to meet the critical needs in Haiti.

But the crisis isn’t over – and won’t be for months. The initial rush of aid has ended – but the needs are still great. From the very basics of providing food, water and shelter to the hundreds of thousands of people living without homes – to the long and difficult rebuilding process that lays ahead – the work is great.

If you have already donated and are capable of more, even a little more – we urge you to support the important projects that are helping the people of Haiti in their time of need. If you have not yet donated – there has never been a better time. No donation is too small – and every amount makes a difference.

There are so many options and so JGooders has made it easy for you. We have gathered five Jewish and/or Israeli organizations, of all sizes and orientations that are working in Haiti. These organizations are among the most experienced in the world in relief efforts – and allow you to fulfill your commitment to tikkun olam and humankind through Jewish and Israeli frameworks – according to your interests.

Visit our Haiti page to read about these incredible projects and to support their relief efforts.

With deep appreciation to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, American Jewish World Service, Israel Flying Aid, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and World ORT for all they are doing to help in Haiti – and beyond.

Yesterday we arrived back at the base with a list of things needed to be done for the “Orphelina” orphanage and with one of the youngest girls who looked very sick. One of the nuns joined her and didn’t leave her side while the doctors diagnosed her with a serious infection. She is still in the hospital and doing much better but the doctors told us that if we didn’t bring her she might have died.

We woke up this morning and the only thing I didn’t manage to secure completely yesterday evening was the truck to pick up the supply and to distribute it.

By 8:45am, I had a promise from Alex, a local manager, that he will cover the truck issue for me. By 9:30 I had a truck going all over the base and collecting everything we worked on raising last night:

We secured the following from the IDF and other organizations:
• 100 mattresses
• 100 mosquito nets
• 100 blankets
• 5 full sets of kitchen dishes
• 35 Jerry cans
• 500 bars of soap
• Hundreds of rolls toilet paper rolls
• Dish soap
• Cleaning materials
• Lots of medical equipment and medicines
• Diapers
• Baby formula
• 100 baby bottles

The Colombian Medical delegation also provided us with copious amounts of special liquid for hydration, and Albert, a local business man provided a huge tank of water. We collected all this supply and drove to the “Orphelina”. Dr. Amir joined us with two nurses, Limor and Yifat who helped Linoy, our one and only nurse, – and examined and vaccinated all the girls and nuns.

Dr. Amit said that other than two more serious cases, the girls are suffering only from lack of food – a situation we are able to fix. One of the girls has a broken leg. The second case is of 8 year-old Daniella – Dr. Amit didn’t like the sound of her heart. We are trying to schedule her for a heart ECHO tomorrow in order to understand what is wrong. All the girls got a balloon for being brave while receiving 3 injections.

The atmosphere was amazing and what was truly strong was the behavior of the nuns. Yesterday they were in shock, today they were over the moon. It looked like they understand that we are really planning to help them for the long run.

I am leaving back home with David and Haim the day after tomorrow with the IDF delegation. The rest of our delegation will stay until February 3rd. They will join the “Orphelina” and will make sure to provide then with all they need while I will work from Israel on building a strong long-term infrastructure together with Orange Israel.

I do not know what I can write in order to try and provide you with the feeling that I have. 50 girls and 20 nuns are having a healthier and happier life thanks to our mission!

To learn more about Jewish and Israeli projects helping in Haiti – and to support their important work – visit the JGooders Haiti Relief Page.

It is both a human and a Jewish responsibility to act – and millions of people have done so via the web since last Tuesday. But as all media and governments report – the need is great and will continue to be so over the next weeks and months.

JGooders wants to help you help those in the direst of need and so are featuring the American Jewish Joint Distribution (JDC)’s Earthquake Disaster Relief project in Haiti.
To help respond to this earthquake, JDC is focusing its efforts on providing emergency medical aid to the injured. Supplies are needed to treat the scores of victims including medicines, medical equipment and other aid. In addition, with people displaced from their home, they have little or no food. JDC is also on providing meals to Haitians.

JDC is working with a network of Israeli, American, and other local partners on the ground and is fully coordinated with the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) as well as Interaction in Washington D.C

As we begin this week – please contribute a few minutes of your time, and whatever resources you are able, to help those in need. Please also pass this on to others looking for a quick, safe way to donate.