Jewish organizations, prominent Jewish individuals and firms operated by Jews continued today to distinguish themselves in aiding the 40, 000 residents of this city who were made homeless and hit hard otherwise by the catastrophic rain storm and floods that hit Rio de Janeiro last week. At least 200 persons lost their lives, hundreds of others were injured, and many thousands, mostly Negroes inhabiting the affected section of the city, were the chief sufferers.
Aid was given during the height of the occurrence by the Pioneer Women; Hebraica, a Jewish club; the synagogue of Central European Jews; the Jewish Hospital and a number of Jewish schools. The Bloch Publishing House, operated by Jews, announced today it would build at least five residences for those who had lost their shelter, and a number of other Jewish firms announced their participation in reconstruction activities. Jewish physicians, women’s organizations and other Jewish groups are being lauded today for their aid to the victims of the catastrophe.
(A shipment of 300 units of blood plasma as well as transfusion equipment contributed by the Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical organization, was sent aboard an El Al aircraft from Israel to aid the victims of torrential rains which caused floods and mud-slides in parts of Brazil. Representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Brazilian Embassy and the Magen David Adom were on hand at Lydda Airport as the consignment was placed aboard the plane.)
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.