Alison Rollman

Staff Writer

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake near the northeastern coast of Japan created ravaging tsunami waves that have razed the nation.

“Houses have been swept into the sea and cities have been literally wiped off the map. Thousands and thousands are gone, and the death toll just keeps rising,” Ami Fields-Meyer 12, Global Response Team Chair, said.

Just as their name suggests, Yozma’s Global Response Team has responded with heart and creativity, aiming to repair Japan while nearly 6000 miles across the globe.

The group is currently selling pins emblazoned with the saying “bring light back to Japan.” A red lantern is featured on the center of the pin, echoing the red circle on the Japanese flag. Written on the lantern is the Japanese character for “light.”

“We chose the symbolism of “bringing the light back to Japan” because it conveys a message of optimism in the face of what seem like impossible odds,” Fields-Meyer said.

The pins are presently being individually sold by members of the Global Response Team for two dollars each and can also be purchased during “Fun-raising Friday” in the amphitheater during lunch on April 1. All funds go to the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief’s assigned fund to repair the damages of the disaster.

The damages are indeed monumental, but by purchasing a pin, one can make a difference. Support Japan and support your peers. It’s that simple.