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Cardinal Dolan launches donation drive at NYC churches for Middle East humanitarian aid

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Social Links for Carl Campanile
Published Oct. 19, 2023, 6:55 a.m. ET

Cardinal Timothy Dolan is launching a donation drive at the Archdiocese of New York’s nearly 300 parishes for humanitarian war relief efforts to help Israelis and Palestinians, The Post has learned.  

Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, vicar general of the Archdiocese and second in command, said he relayed the cardinal’s wishes in a letter to pastors about collecting funds from parishioners for the Middle East aid.

“Cardinal Dolan asked pastors if they want to make a voluntary contribution. It’s up to them,” LaMorte said.

He said Cardinal Dolan will accept the donations from parishes and determine precisely how it will be spent in the Middle East.

Dolan and Archdiocesan officials have been in contact with Jewish religious leaders following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel that triggered a brutal war.    

“The Jewish community in New York are our neighbors,” LaMorte said.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik (center) said Dolan will take up collections during the meeting of the Queens Jewish Community Council.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik (center) said Dolan will take up collections during the meeting of the Queens Jewish Community Council. AP

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the NY Board of Rabbis, mentioned that Cardinal Dolan will take up collections during a meeting of the Queens Jewish Community Council Wednesday night.

Potasnik, in a subsequent interview, told The Post he was moved by the compassion and generosity expressed by Dolan and the Archdiocese.

“We want to express the gratitude of the Jewish community to his Eminence Cardinal Dolan and members of the Church. A friend is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself,” Potasnnik said.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan officials have been in contact with Jewish religious leaders since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s officials have been in contact with Jewish religious leaders since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. Marcus Santos

“We Jews are blessed with the friendship of a very special human being who shares his steadfast love and loyalty with us especially at this critical time.”

More than 4,200 Israeli and Palestinians have been killed in the war provoked by Hamas’ sneak terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7 that slaughtered 1,400 Israelis, according to the United Nations.

Israeli retaliatory strikes on the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip has killed about 2,800 people.