Mexican Jews launch round-the-clock hotline for emergencies

Mexican Jews have launched a round-the-clock emergency hotline to request personalized support in case of attempted suicide, domestic violence, depression, eating disorders and other emergency cases.

The 1118 line launched last week, the Enlace Judio news website reports.

“At first we thought of the number 911, but the Mexican government had adopted it first. 1118 means ‘One for one, one for life,’ Salomon Cherem, president of the Maguen David community, tells Enlace Judio, referring to the idea that the number 18 symbolizes“life” in Judaism.

Under the auspices of the Maguen David and the Kehila Ashkenazi community centers, 1118 integrates other existing initiatives in the Jewish community to fight drug addiction, domestic violence, child abuse, eating disorders and more. A free ambulance and first aid service, Hatzalá, also has been integrated into the hotline.

— JTA