Contributions exceeding $100,000 have been donated by members of the American Jewish Committee to the agency’s Ethiopian Relief Fund, it was announced today by Dr. David Gordis, executive vice president. The sum was collected within a week after an appeal made to members by AJC president Howard Friedman. According to Gordis, 2,000 members have responded to date, as “contributions continue coming in at a heavy rate.” There are approximately 50,000 AJC members nationwide. Gordis added that the AJC’s local chapters soon would launch a follow-up drive to substantially increase the amounts already collected.
He said that the monies would be distributed to three major relief organizations now servicing drought victims in Ethiopia: Catholic Relief Services, Church World Services, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The JDC will receive the largest share of the raised funds.
“By providing these agencies with aid to bring food and other supplies to the famined areas of Ethiopia, we endeavor to alleviate the suffering of the Ethiopian people,” Gordis stated.
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