HIAS
(Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
RALLY FOR REFUGEES | FLETCHER PLAZA | AURORA, CO.
February 12th was the National Day of Jewish Action for Refugees and an important moment for groups across the cultural and religious divide to come together and express their desire to welcome and protect refugees of all faiths.
In the 1930’s, Jewish refugees were turned away by the US in their greatest hour of need. HIAS, the refugee agency of the Jewish community, organized this rally as a call to the president to not repeat the calloused act in our history.
Rabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav then shared a compelling story about how his great grand uncle who arrived in the US from Belgium in 1940, was formidable in the work on saving Jewish refugees. In fact his uncle’s letter to President Roosevelt, urging him to bomb the tracks to the Auschwitz concentration camp, is currently on the wall of the United States Holocaust Museum.
“Once we helped refugees because THEY were Jewish. Now we help refugees because WE are Jewish”
WATCH RABBI STEPHEN’S TALK
Dr. PJ Parmar, owner of The Mango House – a building that houses refugee services, delivers a powerful call and response reflecting the lives of refugees and depicting the unique diversity of immigrants that make up about 98% of the US population.
John Lian, a Burmese national and Pastor at the Colorado Chin Baptist Church represents his community at the HIAS Refugee Rally.
STAND WITH JOHN | WATCH HIS TALK
Ben Lee, board member of Project Worthmore, shares his story volunteering with a refugee family. He urges everyone to be enriched by partnering with a refugee family at Project Worthmore.
The rally was full of encouragement and anticipation about what we can do together as many local representatives came out in solidarity – such as: Colorado State Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet – Frank Anello, Executive Director of Project Worthmore – Zahra Payvandi, Project Worthmore Office Manager – Rabbis Joseph Friedman, Marc Gitler, and Amanda Schwartz