HIAS Op-Ed: Syrian Refugees Are Not Jewish, But We Are

[[{"fid":"1254","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","attributes":{"style":"height: 83px; width: 400px; margin: 5px; float: right;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]The Jewish Advocate published an op-ed by Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, HIAS vice president for community engagement, about the Syrian refugee crisis. Rosen writes, in part: 

"We know what it means to be strangers in a strange land. We also know the impact we can have when we come together to speak out for the rights of vulnerable people. It was not so long ago that the American Jewish community galvanized around the release and resettlement of Soviet Jews. Many of us still remember when congregations and communities united, for years, to show our support and to pressure lawmakers to ensure Jews from the former Soviet Union could find safety. Growing up I remember vividly our family friends who secretly visited refuseniks, advocated and rallied for their release, and ultimately welcomed them to the Boston area. What makes this case unique, however, is that for the first time in Jewish history, our community is mobilizing in force to help refugees – not because they are Jewish, but because we are."

Click here to read the full article in The Jewish Advocate.