Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, based in Manhattan in New York City, along with two other rabbis is aiding relief work in the southern Asia region affected by the tsunami disaster. He was scheduled to visit India this week.

Matalon will be coordinating the distribution of emergency goods, given out by the American Jewish World Service.

This agency has collected $2 million in donation for the cause, said a news report. The money will be used to charter a plane that will carry medical supplies and is scheduled to land near the city of Chennai during mid-week.

Matalon will distribute the supplies in India to some two dozen relief agencies. While he is not going to India in the capacity of a rabbi but if need be, said Matalon in a news report, he will be willing to offer grief counseling.