Members of the small Jewish community of El Salvador escaped injury in last week’s massive earthquake and even managed to hold Yom Kippur services Monday, according to information received by Rabbi Morton Rosenthal, Latin American Affairs director of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.
He said, however, that ADL was advised by Jean-Claude Kahn, president of the Jewish community of El Salvador, that many of them suffered damages to their homes and businesses. Rosenthal said Kahn urged that the American Jewish community assist in the general earthquake relief effort. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee announced Wednesday that it was opening its mailbox for receipt of contributions to aid the earthquake victims.
Kahn, who owns a textile factory in San Salvador, is working with other local businessmen to manage the flow of international aid into the country. The program is being coordinated by the private sector, working with the United States Agency for International Development.
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