Shotar The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Kislev 5745, December 1984 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) HUMAN RIGHTS: JEWISH CONCERNS By Arlene S. Lehner-Editor On the eastern coast of the United tion by conservative groups who fear its States in the town of Coral Gables, Florida, infringement on constitutional rights. BBYOers are rallying for Soviet Jewry Says Daumit on the treaty, "Though my and sending gifts to Refusenik families in knowledge of the Genocide Convention is the Soviet Union. Somewhat farther north limited, it is important to note that we as in Atlanta, Georgia, other members of BBYOers can impact in this area by being the Order are taking part in an inter- aware of what goes on in the community religious and peace oriented program around us. We must look out for our- dealing with the effects of the hostilities of selves-if we don't no one else will as- war on the children who survive it. In the sume the responsibility. And there is no midst of all this activity thousands of question in my mind that what happened miles away on the west coast, 50-150 in Germany could happen in America or BBYOers gather on a nearly monthly basis elsewhere in the world." in front of the Soviet Consulate in San Says Steinhorn, "We must not as Jews Francisco to also rally for the Soviet Jewry run and hide from the issues. We must in- cause. Sometimes organizing with inter- stead take upon ourselves the responsi- denominational groups, they utilize speak- bility to prevent things like Genocide from ers and often make mention of Hatikvah ever happening again." BBG: the symbolic chapter adopted for And human rights concerns for Jews teens in the Soviet Union who can not par- are certainly not limited to those men- take in organized Jewish programming. tioned above. In addition to issues of so- All throughout the Order activities are cial and racial concerns there are issues taking place that have as their common of a medical nature that Jews throughout thread the importance of human rights. history have had to deal with. These in- But what does that actually mean? What clude the Judaic views on abortion, trans- are human rights, and what are their im- plantation of body organs, and eu- plications for the Jew as well as the thenasia. How these relate to the overall BBYOer? theme of human rights rests on the prem- Says Leonard Steinhorn of the Interna- ise that Jewish life is considered sacred, tional Council of B'nai B'rith, "Human and the degree to which it can be tam- rights refer to the protection and respect pered with is one that directly relates to for the lives and liberties of people around the continuity of the Jew both as an indi- the world. Implied in that is an opposi- vidual and as a member of a particular tion to any form of racial, religious, or eth- ethnic race. nic persecution, and a respect for law Implied then in our knowledge of and due process so that people are not human rights issues and concerns is a re- subject to the whims of a dictator." sponsibility for action, and BBYO pro- According to Steinhorn, there are a vides not only the opportunity but fre- number of human rights issues that quently the avenue to take these steps. BBYOers should be aware of and can have aware of as BBYOers and Jews is the racial since the United Nations passed it in Since the research began for this article an impact upon. part of the subject. Each of us in BBYO 1948. Once again, during the recently there are several additional BBYO chap- Aside from furthering the concerns for should be part of an interfaith or interacial completed Congressional session, the Sen- ters already engaging in human rights ac- Soviet Jewry, which Steinhorn believes will program so that we're working on com- ate failed to give its approval to the trea- tivities across the country and addition- provide a more ethnically fulfilling life mon causes. Respect for each other's re- ty. Supported by B'nai B'rith International al knowledge is being disseminated about for Jews in the Soviet Union, he suggests ligious or racial heritage will result in and nearly every major Jewish organiza- the treatment of one's fellow man. And that BBYOers become more attuned to greater understanding and sensitivity be- tion in addition to 93 other countries, the with this in mind, BBYOers are working anti-Semitism and to any other form of ra- tween people.' treaty was designed as an instrument to toward a most important goal-learning cial, religious, or political oppression. prevent future causes of Genocide. Signed to live with one another and to treat one Concurring with Steinhorn is Gail One human rights issue that has by President Truman in 1948, and sup- another as equals. Daumit, president of Washington Council gained vast media attention over the past ported by every President with the excep- And that for the BBYOers and the Jew is BBG (Northern East Region) who states, months is the Genocide Convention, tion of Dwight D. Eisenhower since then, a major accomplishment-the basic ap- "The most important thing we must be which the United States has failed to ratify the treaty has been blocked from ratifica- proach to all human rights concerns. Jews in a Far Away Land By: Susan Sherman (International population. by July, reports indicated that almost one Hold a program and educate your chap- Sh'licha) Ethiopia is one of the poorest coun- half of the remaining Falashas were placed ter about the plight of Ethiopian Jewry. I tries on earth. It is very underdeveloped in refugee camps in neighboring coun- hope I have helped you gain a better un- On the live and the average income per family is tries such as Sudan. Thousands have died derstanding on the situation of the some continent of Africa, place there 14-17,000 Jews in a called $100.00 a year; not a very luxurious exis- in these camps. What can we do? Falashas. It is up to US to help our brother They Ethiopia. of these very Jews, many people Not are aware tence. Emigration is not permitted for any Write your senator or congressman in bondage. Please do your part! black called Falashas. of its citizens, which of course includes about your concerns for our fellow Jews in call themselves Bet Israel (House of the Jews. Illegal emigration is considered Ethiopia. Ask for confirmation indicating Israel) and for over 2,000 years they be- treasonous and can result in a long term that the senator or congressman took ac- lieved that they were the last remaining prison sentence. Jews suffer discrimina- tion on this issue. Become more educated Human Rights Day Jews Falashas earth. early 1950s, on In the 27 tion since they identify with Israel, and yourself! Write for more information to: were brought to Israel to receive this is considered by the Marxist govern- The American Association for Ethiopian Monday, December 10th marks Human a stayed community modern Israel formed education. the nucleus of Jewish Those who ment to be unpatriotic. Jews, 2789 Oak Street, Highland Park, Illi- Rights Day; celebrating the proclamation in a On the brighter side, 1,500 Ethiopian nois 60035; North American Conference of of the Universal Declaration of Human which today has grown to Jews were brought to Israel illegally in the Ethiopian Jewry, 200 Amsterdam Avenue, Rights by the United Nations on this date constitute one fifth of the Ethiopian Jewish first six months of 1984. Unfortunately, New York, NY 10023. in 1948.