The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley
The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley
January 14, 2015
 

 

I know we were all horrified by the terror attacks in France last week. 

 

France has the largest Jewish population in the Diaspora after America. For centuries, French Jews have proudly led from the highest levels of French political, business, artistic, and intellectual life. So it is horrifying that last week's attacks were not the first but only the continuation of decades of violent attacks by Islamist extremists specifically targeting French Jews. We cannot stand idly by.  As a supporter of the Jewish Federation, you should know that your investment supports a global system to respond to such crises: 

  • The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is coordinating with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and the French Jewish community's Service de Protection de la Communaut� Juive (SPCJ) to ensure that French Jewish schools, synagogues, and neighborhoods are protected.
  • JFNA is also sending a Solidarity Mission (please let us know if you would like to participate).
  • Our Federation funds the JDC (the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) which sustains robust European communities to enable full Jewish lives in freedom and security.
  • We also support the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), whose specialists in Paris help French Jews who want to move to Israel.
  • JFNA has sent the director of its Secure Community Network (SCN), Paul Goldenberg, to Paris to assist with security issues.

These partner agencies now have experts there on the ground.  JFNA has set up an emergency fund for the victims' families and for increased security for France's Jewish community. 


JFNA also encourages each one of us to send a message of condolence and solidarity to our brothers and sisters in France. This past year alone more than 7,000 from France made Aliyah-more than from any other country. 

 

We praise the State of Israel for being a safe haven for Jews who need shelter worldwide and support the families who have chosen Aliyah.  We also strongly support the Jews who want to continue to consider France their country and home. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Saturday that "Without the Jews, France is no longer France. It's the oldest community. They have been French citizens since the French revolution," he said.  "We need to reassure them and we must combat this new kind of Anti-Semitism with resolve. But the position of Jews in France is to be in France."  The Diaspora need Israel, and Israel needs a strong and healthy Diaspora.


 

Locally, while there is no indication of any threats to Michiana's Jewish community, you should know that we have increased our close coordination with local law enforcement officials.  

 

Michiana's Jewish community stands in solidarity with the French Jewish community, the families and friends of the victims of the Charlie Hebdo shooting, and the entire nation of France and its commitment to free speech. We take heart from the outpouring of support from world leaders, and millions of ordinary French citizens, determined to fight for a tolerant, multi-ethnic, and free Europe. We also recognize the numerous Muslims who have spoken out against these murders.  The motto of France is "liberty, equality, brotherhood." Jews have thrived in Western civilization because of values like these. It is critical today to protect them. 

 

B'Shalom,

 

Ben Davis

Executive Director