Jewish group raising money for French victims

Jan. 12--A Chicago organization is collecting money to support the Jewish victims of last week's terrorist attacks in France.

Leaders for the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago said money they raise will help support funeral and burial expenses for the families of the six Jews slain in the two shootings. Aaron Cohen, spokesman for the organization, said some families wanted to have their loves ones buried in Israel.

Charlie Hebdo columnist Elsa Cayat and cartoonist Georges Wolinski were among the 12 killed in the Jan. 7 attack on the satirical newspaper's offices in Paris. News reports stated that all four people killed in the Jan. 9 siege on the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket also were Jewish: Yoav Hattab, Francois-Michel Saada, Philippe Braham and Yohan Cohen.

"We feel a strong connection to the Jewish community in France as we do with Jewish communities around the world," Aaron Cohen said. "Our guiding principle in all our JUF work is that when there are Jews in need, geography is not the principle factor. It's the level of need."

JUF already contributed $100,000 to the special fund, Cohen said. In addition to providing financial support to the victims' families, Cohen said JUF and related organizations worldwide are seeking to help offset costs of increased security measures at Jewish institutions throughout France.

Those wanting to donate can visit donate.juf.org. The organization also is planning a Jan. 14 memorial service at Chicago Loop Synagogue. Those wishing to attend are asked to register at http://www.juf.org/jcrc/memorial.aspx.

cdrhodes@tribpub.com

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