Monthly Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Seven years ago in the fall of 2004, Ruth Messinger, the Executive Director of Jewish World Service, spoke at HIAS Pennsylvania’s Annual meeting. She ended her talk with a plea that the audience advocate to stop violence in Dafur, Sudan. She described a place where government supported troops were bombing civilians. Women and children were particularly affected and many were fleeing to refugee camps. Ruth Messinger was ahead of her times—most of us were unaware of the tragedy unfolding in Dafur. We scratched our heads-- where is this place? But in a few short years, we learned Darfur was in Sudan and the situation in Dafur went from being invisible to being a symbol of the need to stop ethnic cleansing. And the Jewish community joined with many faith organizations and human rights advocates to bring attention to the region.
Of course, the hope is always that Dafuris living in camps outside their country can go back to their homes. But some will never be able to—everything in their village may have been destroyed or worse yet, their family support system eliminated. Next month, HIAS Pennsylvania will resettle the first small group of Darfuris who have been living in camps in Kenya and cannot return to Dafur. We have travelled from awareness to action. To learn how you can help, contact Sarah Peterson at speterson@hiaspa.org.
While our refugee program continues to respond to the humanitarian needs of those displaced by war and oppression, our legal team has continue its life changing work to assist individuals find sanctuary and security in the U.S. or remain or be reunited with their families. Not only did our legal staff handle over 900 matters last year, but we serve as key consultants and technical advisors to non-profit service providers and other attorneys. Just today, a New York attorney called for advice on how to assist two immigrant youth who lack parental care. The New York attorney head we were specialists in the area of unaccompanied youth. Our multi-state reputation speaks highly of our work.
On the advocacy front, I hope many of you will join us in coming to an exciting panel on Thursday, Feb. 23rd at 7 PM at the Liberties Bar, 705 North 2nd Street with state Rep. Babette Josephs, labor union leader Wendell Young, IV, and youth “Dreamers.” HIAS Pennsylvania is a co-sponsor with the Jewish Labor Committee and I am moderating. The event announcement is listed to the right.
Sincerely,
Judith Bernstein Baker
Executive Director
To view the wish list of items needed to properly resettle the Darfuris and all our other refugees, click here.
To donate resettlement items online, please visit our Amazon Wish List.