Antakya Jewish community leader Saul Cenudioglu remains missing but the body of his wife has been found, according to the newspaper Haaretz. Days of major earthquakes have rendered much of the area around Syrian-Turkish border including the small town of Antakya an urban wasteland. The number of known dead is now approaching 20,000.

World Jewish Congress vice-president Maramas Stern and Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky express their deepest condolences in the face of this indescribable tragedy. The WJC is in contact with the Jewish community in Antakya and is attempted to send aid to the earthquake victims there.

“In these difficult times we extend our deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost family members, with those experiencing trauma and who have lost their homes,” WJC executive vice-president Maramas Stern wrote in a letter circulating among Jewish communities around the world.

“We grieve together with the family members of those who have perished and we are praying for all victims and those missing. We wish you strength in this difficult moment,” LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky wrote.

The Turkish Jewish community is collecting monetary donations. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so through the Lithuanian Red Cross or by direct bank transfer to the Chief Rabbinate of the Turkish Jewish community, details below:

Recipient: Turkish Chief Rabbinate Foundation
Bank: Vakıfbank Istanbul Courthouse Branch
Account no.: TR 78 0001 5001 5804 8022 2899 31

Please write “donate for earthquake” as the reason for the money transfer.