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Rabbi's Message
A year ago at this time, I began talking and writing about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan. Responding to my call for action, a number of us sent letters, made phone calls, organized and attended a rally and vigil in Attleboro and worked to raise awareness of the crisis and pressure the United States government to take action.
A year ago, I reported that 300,000 souls had lost their lives and close to 2 million had been forcibly displaced from their homes at the hands of the government-supported Janjaweed militia. We asked for and heard calls for action from our elected leaders; we got resolutions on genocide passed and forced President George Bush, eventually, to take notice of the very real tragedy unfolding in Africa. That was a year ago. We have come to another spring and are preparing for another Passover – our great celebration of freedom from oppression – and we have only worse figures and facts to report. Now more than 400,000 are dead, 3 million are displaced and rape has become the weapon of choice of the Janjaweed, bent on destroying the culture and way of life of the residents of Darfur. The death toll in Darfur is greater than that in Bosnia, Rwanda and Kosovo combined. What happened, we must ask ourselves, to “Never Again?” Why have we not mustered the strength, forces, money and courage necessary to stop the worst human crisis of our time? The Torah instructs us that we “must not stand idly by the blood of our neighbors.” Indifference to pain and suffering is a Jewish crime. The crisis in Darfur is not someone else’s problem – it is our reality. . I cannot and will not go into this joyful Passover season without redoubling my efforts and begging you to join me. The faith communities of America have banded together and launched a “Million Voices for Darfur.” The goal is to send 1 million notices to President Bush and members of congress urging them to take action to end the killing, to support a multi-national force, send in peacekeepers -- in short, do what is both necessary and possible to make Never Again! a reality. The notices will be delivered to the White House and Congress on April 30 – the same day thousands will gather in the nation’s capitol for a “Rally to Save Darfur.” Within this newsletter, you will find a two notices addressed to President Bush. Please, before you sit down to your seder to celebrate your freedom, take the time to send a message on behalf of the people of Darfur and ask one other guest at your table to do the same. Soon, may that day come when all people shall celebrate their freedom and share in the blessings of new and bountiful life. With best wishes for a happy and kosher Passover! B’Shalom |
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