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Eastern Ramapo's Haitian-American and Orthodox Jewish communities often function within different hemispheres. Now, the crisis in Haiti has brought these neighbors together to send help across the Western Hemisphere.

These new ties have the potential to foster understanding and breed cooperation at home as well.

Medical professionals from Rockland are working to save lives in the Caribbean nation, which was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake more than a week ago, as well as a succession of strong aftershocks. Businesses in the local religious Jewish community donated the medical supplies and money to make their trip possible.

Two major players in the newfound joint mission to help Haiti — Spring Valley's Ben Gilman Clinic and East Ramapo school board member Aron Wieder — have at times been at odds with Haitian community activists. Now, the clinic is providing invaluable support for a mission led by two of its doctors.

Drs. Delatre Lolo and Childebert St. Louis are giving much-needed medical aid to the throngs of injured, using IV units and bags, gauze, suture kits, splints and other sorely needed medical supplies donated by the clinic. They returned to their homeland Wednesday, along with 11 nurses and three other emergency workers from Rockland, all of Haitian descent.

Additionally, local Orthodox-owned businesses raised some $4,000 to help the medical personnel make their way to Chicago to catch a U.S. Air Force flight to Port-au-Prince.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20100122/OPINION/1220307