AJC Donates $25,000 for El Slavador Eartquake Relief

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 18 January 2001

The American Jewish Committee today donated $25,000 to aid relief efforts in El Salvador following the devastating earthquake over the weekend.

The contribution comes from AJC's Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Humanitarian Fund, which was established by the Heilbrunn family to support humanitarian relief through the American Jewish Committee.

"Our heart is with the people of El Salvador," said Bruce M. Ramer, president of the American Jewish Committee, in announcing the grant.

In a letter of concern sent to El Salvador President Francisco Flores, Mr. Ramer and AJC Acting Executive Director Shulamith Bahat recalled the visit a year ago of an AJC delegation to El Salvador, that followed upon a meeting AJC had with President Flores in Miami in December 1999.

"In Central America, El Salvador is one of the dearest friends of Israel and the Jewish people, and we want to help as much as we can," said Mr. Ramer.

Since its establishment in 1998, AJC's Heilbrunn Humanitarian Fund has supported relief efforts for Turkish earthquake victims, including building a school; substantial aid to Muslim refugees from Kosovo; repair of three California synagogues damaged by arsonists; and, aid to victims of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Mitch in Central America.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org