A day after the deadly earthquake that struck western Colombia and claimed the lives of more than 220 people, a clearer picture is emerging regarding the condition of the Jewish community in the city of Cali.
Meir Partush, a resident of the city and director of the local “Jewish Home," which provides for Jewish religious needs, described the situation since the earthquake: “At around 7:00 yesterday morning, we felt the earthquake very strongly, and it caused tremendous damage."
According to him, despite extensive destruction to homes and property, miraculously there were no casualties. “In our community, families lost their homes. Thank God, there were no physical injuries or loss of life, but there was enormous property damage. The community itself was also hit - a wall collapsed onto the roof of the synagogue and caused damage, and ceilings were blown off in some of the rooms," he said in an interview with the Behadrei Haredim website.
The “Jewish Home," which serves as the main address for Jews and Israelis in the city - operating in a manner similar to a Chabad House, including a synagogue, the provision of kosher food, and assistance to travelers in need at hospitals or with the police - immediately became a central hub for relief efforts.
Partush said the team is providing food, water, and assistance with repairs to anyone who approaches them, including non-Jewish local residents, out of a sense of mission and a desire to sanctify God’s name.
Throughout the night, the team assisted many Jews who had been left homeless, while the community itself relies entirely on donations and outside assistance due to its limited financial resources.
Even before that, Partush made a point of immediately contacting hostels and Israeli travelers to ensure that none of them had been harmed.