Uruguay

Overview
Uruguay is the second smallest nation in South America. Approximately 75% of the Jewish population is European in origin, with families that immigrated from Poland-Russia, Germany, and Hungary. Another 11% are of Sephardic descent. The Argentine economic crisis of 1999-2002 extended to Uruguay and had a devastating impact on the Jewish community. Inflation and unemployment skyrocketed and the International Monetary Fund was brought in to help stabilize the situation. While Uruguay is back on track, the crisis has had long-lasting effects on many parts of the population and greatly accelerated emigration among Uruguayan Jews.

Need
The fallout from the Argentine crisis pushed many Jews in Uruguay into poverty and many have yet to recover.

Response
In response to the increase in poverty, Tzedaká-Uruguay, a new umbrella welfare organization, was established with JDC’s help to address critical needs among Uruguay’s Jews. Many of the emergency relief programs first developed in Argentina were adapted to meet the situation here. JDC currently is implementing a 5-year phase-out plan and is concentrating instead on building local capacity and resources to sustain the community going forward. JDC’s efforts to support this include:

• Providing leadership training opportunities for young adults
• Assisting with strategic planning for welfare programming

Impact
Through Tzedaká-Uruguay, JDC has helped increase local volunteer and donor support, making possible the following:

• Creation of Tzedaká Youth, which has attracted more than 400 youth to its events
• Development of the Supportive Women program, which attracts more than 900 women annually and supports programs aimed at children and young adults
• Collaboration and professional advice to the Uruguayan Israeli community to maximize resources and the reach of its welfare programs
• Training programs for professionals and volunteers
• Attendance of Uruguayan Jewish youth at the General Assembly in Cartagena, Colombia (May 2009)