Jews in Crisis - An Urgent Appeal for JDC Relief Programs:

Sylvia and Jaime have been living for thirty-nine years in an apartment located in an area previously considered a typical Argentine Jewish middle-class neighborhood. Based on the continued deterioration of the economy they cannot sell their home, as any money they receive would be frozen and inaccessible from the bank. They are ashamed and very scared.

This is the life now in Argentina for Jaime and Sylvia. Jaime was once a successful furniture repairer who lost his business throughout the past few years. He has realized that at the age of 73 it is impossible for him to find another job. Sylvia, 61 years old, was employed as a secretary in a doctor’s office and as an assistant in an education institution. But now, due to the current economic climate, she is also out of work.

Jaime and Sylvia have no savings left and the bank they kept their money in refuses to give back their life-savings.

Through the JDC-operated Social Assistance Center, Jaime and Sylvia receive food vouchers to purchase food at their local supermarket, as well as medicines to continue with current treatment.

Now, Sylvia and Jaime leave their Social Assistance Center with the satisfaction of knowing that their lives are about to improve. "We will be able to tell our grandchildren through our own experience how the Jewish organizations have continuously helped their people in difficult times", says Sylvia, proudly waving as she carries home her bag of medicine.

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The challenges that face the Jewish world today are overwhelming. There are significant demands being placed upon us. Crises – especially the one in Israel – have overwhelmed the Jewish world, eliciting the massive response of the Israel Emergency Campaign.

In Argentina and in the Former Soviet Union, hundreds of thousands of Jews have no one to turn to but JDC, UJC and the Federations. The money currently raised is not enough to satisfy the welfare needs of the 284,500 Jews in these two regions of the world. We are, literally, their only hope.

JDC is now forced with a critical challenge. To ensure that this indispensable lifeline is not damaged, we are marshalling all possible resources. The Claims Conference and major philanthropic foundations, along with other funding sources – are all contributing so that the urgent assistance and emergency aid on which so many depend can continue to flow. But it is not enough…

JDC has begun its appeal to each individual Federation to help provide funds for these urgent relief efforts. The minimum needed in order to continue the current level of welfare programs for 2003 is $19.775 million, split almost equally between Argentina and the Former Soviet Union.

We are making an urgent appeal that funds be allocated directly to your local Jewish Federation or United Jewish Communities, designated for JDC programs in the Former Soviet Union and Argentina.

Pesach 2003 is quickly approaching. JDC’s goal is that this Pesach, as you prepare for your holiday seder, remember that together we are delivering on the promise in Argentina and the Former Soviet Union: "Let all who are hungry come and eat."