Ham Radio Reports from Mexico City Indicate the Jewish Community Was ‘most Likely’ Spared Brunt of Q

Ham radio reports received by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) indicate that the Jewish community of Mexico City was “most likely” spared the brunt of the damage done by the earthquake there September 19. This confirmed earlier reports of several Jewish organizations here. Jewish communal facilities on the outskirts of the affected area are being used as first aid stations, the radio reports said.

The ham radio operators relayed requests for medical supplies for use at the Jewish Sports Center (Centro Deportivo). The JDC, the overseas relief arm of the American Jewish community, is gathering the supplies requested, a JDC spokesman said today.

The JDC announced its participation in Mexico City relief efforts following the first reports of the earthquake and opened its mailbox to earmarked donations. Pledges and contributions exceed $30,000 to date. In addition, the JDC has contributed $10,000 from its emergency reserve making a total of $40,000 immediately available for Mexican relief.

Among those making donations through the open mailbox were the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles; the Jewish Federation of Cincinatti; and the Scheuer Foundation of New York.

Many Jewish communities are planning synagogue appeals for earthquake relief during the holidays. The overhead and administrative costs of the JDC response are drawn from its regular budget of $49.3 million in 1985 which assures that all donations received will be applied to relief work.

Donations to Mexico City earthquake relief should be addressed to JDC, Room 1914, 60 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y 10165.