A Call to Action

When Haiti was struck with an earthquake on January 12, 2010, Israel set up a field hospital to help the Haitian victims. When an earthquake hit Chile a year ago today, Israel was among the countries to respond. And when Japan was shaken with a devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake today, Israel, again, heeds the call to action. According to Haaretz, "The Japanese consul in Israel, Mitoshiko Shinomya, told the Israeli news website Ynet that he was heartened by the Israeli government's offer of assistance. 'Israel officially offered its help an hour after the earthquake struck,' Shinomya said."

According to Haaretz, various rescue organizations in Israel will be deploying to Japan (after Shabbat) to assist in the rescue efforts. ZAKA International Rescue Unit, which originally began as an organization aimed at responding to terrorist attacks in Israel, now also deploys internationally to assist where, according to their website, where Jews or Israelis may be affected. Of course, there are Jews everywhere. IsraAid, as well, is organizing to send two teams of rescue personnel to Japan, provided they can figure out how to get there. The airports near the earthquake's epicenter are flooded; the airport in Tokyo is shut down.

Israel has among its charges the expectation to be a light to the nations. Even as there the world criticized Israel for her relationships with her neighbors, Israel still responds throughout the world, using her knowledge, resources, and drive to make the world a better place. The Jewish people, no less than Israel, are a people who are moved to action, caring not only for our Jewish community, but the world as a whole, too. This week's Torah portion, Vayikra, begins with a call, "The Eternal called Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting" (Leviticus 1:1). We, too, are called to action.

If you want to help make a difference in Japan, consider giving through the Joint Distribution Committee's Japan/Pacific Disaster Relief Fund or through the Jewish Federations of North America's Japan, Hawaii and the Pacific Relief Fund, both reputable Jewish organizations bringing to life God's call for us to be a light unto the nations.