Petition to Solve African Refugee Crisis

Petition to Solve African Refugee Crisis

I’ve signed this petition, as have others we know and respect — including such accomplished Holocaust scholars as Israel’s Yehuda Bauer, Canada’s Irving Abella, the great David S. Wyman and our own vice president Leonard Grob, in the US. (We know that Israel’s initial welcome to African refugees has grown sour, as their numbers have greatly increased.)  Dr. Rafael Medoff, the director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies who has initiated this petition, indicated to me that Prof. Bauer and he have formed a bond on this issue, transcending their differences on the Roosevelt administration’s record regarding Jewish refugees before and during the Holocaust.  This begins with a note from Dr. Medoff (email him or contact the Wyman Institute to add your name):

As you know, Israel has been at the center of international controversy over its handling of African refugees who have been arriving at its border. 


The interfaith petition below is intended to be signed by religious leaders of all faiths, scholars in all fields, organizational leaders, and political and cultural figures from around the world–we seek a broad cross-section of distinguished individuals to demonstrate the breadth of support for this effort. Once we have a sufficiently large and impressive body of signatories, we will present it to individual governments and press for its adoption.

The Hebrew University-Hadassah Genocide Prevention Program, and the Israeli Association to Combat Genocide, have endorsed this initiative. Would you do us the honor of allowing your name to be added to the list below?

With all best wishes, Rafael Medoff 
rafaelmedoff@aol.com



THE EVIAN DECLARATION
Israel and the African Refugee Crisis:
A WORLD SOLUTION FOR A WORLD PROBLEM


Significant numbers of African men, women, and children are fleeing genocide, political persecution, or economic hardship, and many have been seeking refuge in Israel.  We note
that the people of Israel have an impressive record of assisting African and other underdeveloped countries, and sheltering refugees from around the world. At the same time, we acknowledge the Israeli public’s legitimate concern over expectations that Israel should shoulder all or most of the burden of caring for the new refugees. 

We urge the international community to address this crisis in the spirit of the appeal made by U.S. Vice President Walter F. Mondale at the United Nations Conference on Indochinese Refugees, held in Evian, France, in 1979. He said the countries attending the infamous 1938 Evian conference “failed the test of civilization” by refusing to help Europe’s Jewish refugees, and he urged the 1979 attendees to cooperate in resolving the crisis of “boat people” fleeing Indochina: “We face a world problem. Let us fashion a world solution.” Those words moved governments to act. Hundreds of thousands of lives were saved.

We call on the nations of the world to accept their responsibility to share the burden of resolving the African refugee crisis. We hope Israel will play an appropriate role in such an effort alongside other nations that are committed to doing their fair share. With the approach of the 75th anniversary of the original Evian conference, in July 2013, we urge men and women of good will to come together in a partnership of humanity to face this crisis.

 

Prof. David S. Wyman
University of Massachusetts-Amherst (emer.)
Hon. Rudy Boschwitz
U.S. Senator (R-Minnesota), 1978-1991
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Past chairman, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Prof. Irving Abella,
York Univerity, Toronto, Canada
Prof. Ana Maria Tapia Adler
Universidad de Chile
Prof. Joseph Agassi
Israel
Prof. Judith Buber Agassi
Israel
Prof. Edward Alexander
University of Washington (ember.)
Sal Amendola
Artist & editor
Prof. Meir Amor
Concordia University
Rabbi Melanie Aron
Congregation Shir Hadash – Los Gatos, CA
Dr. Ari Babaknia
School of Medicine-University of Califonia, Irvine
Prof. Lawrence Baron
San Diego State University (emer.)
Prof. Paul Bartrop
Florida Gulf Coast University
Dr. Merelyn Bates-Mims
Founding Chair, Cathedral Human Rights Institute, Cincinnati OH
Steven K. Baum
Editor, Journal for the Study of Antisemitism
Rabbi Martin P. Beifeld, Jr.
Congregation Beth Ahabah – Richmond, VA
Dr. Alan L. Berger
Raddock Family Eminent Scholar Chair in Holocaust Studies
Florida Atlantic University
Prof. Aaron Berman
Hampshire College
Jacob Berry
Founder, Darfur International School
Rabbi Jonathan Biatch
Temple Beth El – Madison, WI
Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld CM
Temple Emuan-El, Toronto, Canada (emer.)
Prof. Paul Bookbinder
University of Massachsetts-Boston
Prof. Steven Bowman
University of Cincinnati
Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann
Columbia Theological Seminary (emer.)
Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka
Congregation Machzikei Hadas – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Jean Axelrad Cahan
Director, Harris Center for Judaic Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Miriam Chaikin
Author & editor
Dr. Israel W. Charny
Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide
Dr. Ariel Cohen
International security expert and author, Washington, D.C. 
Dean G. Jan Colijn
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Rabbi Abraham Cooper
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Rabbi Neil S. Cooper
Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, Wynnewood PA
Menachem Daum
Documentary filmmaker
Prof. Jeffrey Diefendorf
University of New Hampshire
Gemma Del Duca, S.C., Ph.D.
National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education
Celia Deutsch
Research Scholar, Banard College/Columbia University
Matthias Durchfeld
Istoreco Reggio Emilia, Italy
Rabbi Dr. Dan Ehrenkrantz
President, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Dr. Mark Elliott
University of Wyoming
Stuart Erdheim
Filmmaker
Rabbi Sheldon Ezring
Temple Beth Shalom – Hudson, OH
Rabbi Josh Feigelson
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Rabbi Charles Feinberg
Adas Israel Congregation – Washington, D.C.
Rabbi Morley Feinstein
University Synagogue – Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Eugene J. Fisher
Saint Leo University
Dr. Eva Fogelman
Co-Director, International Study of Organized Persecution of Children
Jeannette Friedman
International Study of Organized Persecution of Children
Dr. Helen Fein
Harvard University & Institute for the Study of Genocide
Prof. Ed Gaffney
Valparaiso University School of Law
Prof. Allon Gal
Ben-Gurion University (emer.)
Dr. Mary J. Gallant
Rowan University
Prof. Zev Garber
Editor, Shofar / L.A. Valley College (emer.)
Rabbi David Gelfand
Temple Israel of the City of New York
Prof. Haim Genizi
Bar Ilan University (emer.)
Prof. Myron Glazer
Smith College
Prof. Penina Glazer
Hampshire College
Dr. Myrna Goldenberg
Writer
Rabbi Mark Goldfarb
Temple Beth Ohr – La Mirada, CA
Prof. Robert J. Gordon
University of Illinois at Chicago
Annalisa Govi
Istoreco Reggio Emilia, Italy
Rabbi Laurie Green
Temple Beth Zion – Buffalo, NY
Rabbi Alan Greenbaum
Congregation B’nai Harim – Grass Valley, CA
Prof. Gershon Greenberg
American University
Prof. Leonard Grob
Farleigh Dickinson University
Rabbi David Greenstein
Congregation Shomrei Emunah (Montclair, NJ)
Dr. Michael Hayes
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Rabbi Sidney M. Helbraun
Temple Beth-El – Northbrook, IL
Prof. Susannah Heschel
Dartmouth College
Pesach Houspeter
Chair, Dror-Israel Movement, Tel Aviv
Prof. Steven L. Jacobs
University of Alabama
Prof. Harold Kasimow
Grinnell College (emer.)
Prof. Steven Katz
Director, Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies, Boston University
Rabbi Joshua Katzan 
Congregation Habonim – New York City
Prof. Katherina von Kellenbach
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Francine Klagsbrun
Author and independent scholar
Adv. Irit Kohn, President
The International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
Rabbi Eugene Korn, Ph.D.
Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation
Rabbi Doulas E. Krantz
Congregation B’nai Yisrael – Armonk, NY
Rabbi Simcha Krauss
Young Israel of Hillcrest, NY (emer.)
Dr.Neil J. Kressel
William Paterson University
Rabbi Levi D. Lauer
ATZUM-Justice Works
Prof. Laurel Leff
Northeastern University
Hon. Franz S. Leichter
New York State Senator, 1975-1998
Rabbi Alan B. Lettofsky
Beth Israel -The West Temple, Cleveland, OH (emer.)
Rabbi Leonard Levin
Academy for Jewish Religion, Yonkers, NY
Rabbi David Levin-Kruss
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem
Prof. Paul A. Levine
Uppsala University, Sweden
Rabbi David C. Levy
Temple Shalom – Succasunna, NJ
Uriel Levy
Director, Combat Genocide Association – Tel Aviv
Rabbi Stan Levy
Congregation B’nai Horin – Los Angeles, CA
Prof. Marcia Sachs Littell
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Rabbi Michael Lotker
Community Rabbi, Jewish Federation of Ventura County, CA
Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner
Jacksonville Jewish Center – Jacksonville, FL
Prof. Peter Machinist
Harvard University
Rabbi Eliot Malomet
Highland Park (NJ) Conservative Temple-Anshe Emeth
Rabbi Bonnie Margulis
Madison, WI
Dr. Rafael Medoff
The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies
Rabbi Michael Melchior
President, International Institute for Jewish & Israeli Culture, Tel Aviv
Chairman, MOSAICA Center, Jerusalem
Prof. John Merkle
College of Saint Benedict / Saint John’s University
The Rev. H. Scott Matheney
Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life
Elmhurst College – Chicago, IL
Rabbi Brian I. Michelson
Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom – Reading, PA
Prof. Rochelle L. Millen
Wittenberg University
Rabbi Bennett Miller
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple – New Brunswick, NJ
Prof. Paul Miller
University of Birmingham (UK) & McDaniel College
Rabbi Jordan Millstein
Temple Sinai of Bergen County – Tenafly, NJ
Prof. Alan Mittleman
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Rabbi Stephen F. Moch
The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas – U.S. Virgin Islands
Tali Nates
Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, South Africa
Prof. Stephen Norwood
University of Oklahoma
Martin Ostrow
Filmmaker
Cynthia Ozick
Author
Prof. Zsuzsanna Ozsvath
The University of Texas at Dallas
Prof. David Patterson
University of Texas at Dallas
Rev. John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, Ph.D
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago
Prof. Judea Pearl
University of California at Los Angeles
Dr. Susan Pentlin
University of Central Missouri
The Rev. Peter A. Pettit, Ph.D.
Muhlenberg College
Rabbi Richard Plavin
Beth Sholom B’nai Israel – Manchester, CT
Rabbi William Plevan
Congregation Shaare Zedek – New York, NY
Prof. Eunice G. Pollack
University of North Texas
Rabbi Jeff Portman
Congregation Agudas Achim – Iowa City – IA
Ronald Radosh
Historian, author, Adjunct Fellow at the Hudson Institute
Prof. Marc Lee Raphael
College of William and Mary
Rabbi Uri Regev
Hiddush
Seymour D. Reich
Former Chairman,
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Prof. Elihu D. Richter
Hebrew University-Hadassah Genocide Prevention Program
Prof. Carol Rittner, RSM
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Rabbi Daniel Roberts
Temple Emanu El – Cleveland, OH (emer.)
Prof. Meri-Jane Rochelson
Florida International University
Prof. Peter I. Rose
Smith College (emer.)
Prof. Thane Rosenbaum
Fordham University School of Law
Prof. Alvin H. Rosenfeld
Director, Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, Indiana University
Prof. John K. Roth
Claremont McKenna College (emer.)
Rabbi Ronald Roth
Fair Lawn Jewish Center – Fair Lawn, NJ
Rabbi Robert Rubin
Temple Beth Or – Brick, NJ
Rev. Kathleen J. Rusnak
Pastor and author, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Howard Rypp
Artistic Director, Nephesh Theatre, Tel Aviv
Rabbi Michael J. Safra
B’nai Israel Congregation – Rockville, MD
Dr. Shimon Samuels
Simon Wiesenthal Center, Paris
Moti Sandak
Director, International Institute for Jewish & Israeli Culture, Tel Aviv
Pierre Sauvage
Filmmaker / Chambon Foundation
Rabbi Michael Schudrich
Chief Rabbi, Jewish Community of Poland
Roberta Hanfling Schwartz
Scholar, lecturer & teacher
Rabbi Joel Schwartzman
Synagogue of the Summit – Denver, CO
Rabbi Ahud Sela
Temple Ramat Zion – Northridge, CA
Susan H. Shapiro
University of Chicago
Prof. Baila Shargel
Manhattanville College
Dr. Karen Shawn
Yeshiva University
Rabbi Charles P. Sherman,
Temple Israel – Tulsa, OK
Jerry Silverman
Musicologist, folksinger, author
Prof. Norman Simms
Waikato University, New Zealand (emer.)
Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin
Temple Chai – Phoenix, AZ
Prof. Robert Skloot
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rabbi David J. Small
Emanuel Synagogue – West Hartford, CT
Prof. Leon Stein
Roosevelt University
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz
Congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem – Montreal, CAN
Rabbi Keith Stern
Temple Beth Avodah – Newton, MA
Prof. Mark Stern
Shepherd University
Prof. Stephen J. Stern
Gettysburg College
Prof. Rob Stolzer
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Rabbi Joshua Strom
Temple Shaaray Tefila – New York, NY
Prof. Norton S. Taichman
University of Pennsylvania (emer.)
Rabbi Prof. David A. Teutsch
Director, Levin-Lieber Program in Jewish Ethics
Past president, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Rabbi Leonard Troupp
Temple Beth David of Commack, NY (emer.)
Rabbi Dr. Jeremiah Unterman
Past director, Association of Modern Orthodox Day Schools
Rabbi Stewart L. Vogel
Temple Aliyah – Woodland Hills, CA
Dr. Racelle Weiman
Dialogue Institute, Temple University 
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
Congregation B’nai Tzedek – Potomac, MD
Chairman, Rabbinic Cabinet, Jewish Federations of North America
Rabbi Arthur Weiner
Jewish Community Center of Paramus, NJ
Rabbi Elie Weinstock
Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun – New York, NY
Rabbi Yosef Weinstock
Young Israel of Hollywood- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Rabbi David M. Weis D.D.
Congregation Beth Israel – Northfield, NJ
Dr. Ann Weiss
Director, Eyes from the Ashes Educational Foundation
Dr. Debbie Weissman
President, International Council of Christians and Jews
Prof. Sonja Schoepf Wentling
Concordia College
Rabbi David Wise
Hollis Hills Jewish Center – Flushing, NY
Rabbi Irvin M. Wise
Adath Israel Congregation – Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Stephen Wise
Shaarei-Beth El Congregation – Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Rabbi David Wolpe
Sinai Temple, Los Angeles
Dr. Linda M. Woolf
Webster University & Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies
Livia S. Yanowicz
LSY Associates
Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel
Temple Micah – Washington, DC
Prof. John C. Zimmerman
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Rabbi Mark H. Zimmerman
Congregation Beth Shalom – Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Henry A. Zoob
Congregation Beth David – Westwood, MA (emer.)
Dr. Bat-Ami Zucker
Bar Ilan University
Dr. Efraim Zuroff
Simon Wiesenthal Center
(Institutions listed for identification purposes only.)


By | 2013-03-31T21:24:00-04:00 March 31st, 2013|Blog|0 Comments

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