Did You Know there was an Emergency Refugee Shelter in the US during WWII?
by Dawn Berney, Executive Director
I gave a presentation on this topic at Lechayim on Monday. Because of the weather, many people had to cancel. So here is a very brief summary.
On August 4, 1944, 982 refugees from the war in Europe arrived in the United States on the Henry Gibbons navy ship. Most of these refugees were Jewish. Nearly all of them had been in camps and had managed to escape. They were processed and put on trains to Oswego, NY where they lived at Fort Ontario, behind barbed wire until January, 1946. The photo on the left shows refugees in the camp.
I learned about the camp nearly thirty years ago. I was living in Philadelphia and was talking to a friend. I mentioned Oswego, because my husband grew up there. Judy told me that she had been there for the 50th anniversary of the refugees' arrival. Her mother-in-law (in photo on the right) had been there while a teenager. I asked my husband about the camp, and he had never heard of it even though he grew up seven blocks away. It was a hidden piece of his town's history
Flash forward to this summer. We happened to be in Oswego visiting family and the newspaper mentioned the 75th reunion of the refugees. We went to the program and I got to see my old friend, her husband, brother-in-law and mother-in-law. Many of the speakers spoke of their sadness that they thought they would have to return to Europe after the war. (They had been required to sign a document saying that they understood they couldn't stay in the US.) Fortunately, they were allowed to apply for citizenship. In January, 1946, they had to get onto buses and drive to Canada, u-turn and return.They were not allow to apply for citizenship without leaving the country. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
One of the speakers at the reunion spoke of the fact that this will be the last reunion. Only 19 survivors came to the event. She said that it is up to us to tell the story of these refugees. Around three weeks after the reunion, Nelly Thalheimer, my friend's mother-in-law passed away. She really wanted to come to the reunion, and she did. My presentation and this article are my way of honoring Nelly's memory and the memory of everyone who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. May their memories be a blessing.
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Where Healing Resides with Rabbi Eric Weiss
A brunch program for individuals, caregivers, and professionals
November 17th 2019 11:00am to 1:00pm
Blackhawk Country Club
3606 Blackhawk Drive
Madison, WI 53705
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Jewish Social Services at the Border
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Please join us at Temple Beth El on Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Concerned about ongoing events at America’s southern border? Looking for ways you can learn more about the asylum process and how to volunteer locally through Jewish Social Services? Jewish Congregations for Social Justice and Jewish Social Services are pleased to sponsor a program that will offer eyewitness information, observations, and advice.
In late September, Carrie FoxKline, the Immigration Legal Services and Quality Assurance Director at Jewish Social Services, traveled from Madison to El Paso, Texas, to provide immigration legal aid to asylum seekers and other immigrants facing our immigration detention and court system. During her week there, she worked in conjunction with the HIAS Border and Asylum Network, and their local partner, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center. As part of an emergency response program in both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, she focused on ensuring that asylum seekers received much-needed legal representation.
Carrie is eager to share this recent experience with our community, along with her long-term view of immigration and refugee issues, based on many years working with HIAS in Pennsylvania; first as their Immigrant Youth Know Your Rights Manager and then as Director of Refugee Programming and Planning. Learning more about her work at JSS, in the newly reconstituted immigration legal services program, will give the community a valuable perspective on both local and national efforts. We look forward to seeing you at this important program.
Cosponsored by Jewish Congregations for Social Justice
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JSS Wish List
Our clients are in need of a pair of women's
winter boots (
size 8.5 or 9)
, and a pair of men's snow pants (
size medium)
.
Please call (608) 442-4081 or
email
us to donate either of these items.
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A tribute gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy to the bereaved, memorialize a loved one, commemorate a special occasion or honor a person’s life and accomplishments.
Your gift to Jewish Social Services made in honor or memory of this special person ensures a legacy that extends far into the future.
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It's time for Goodman Lechayim Lunchtime Plus!
Monday, November 18
11:30 am-12:00 pm: Yoga from a chair with Betsy Haimson
12:00 pm-1:00 pm: Ropa Vieja (Cuban shredded beef), Congri (rice and beans), corn on the cob, dessert (Veggie option: Ropa Vieja (jackfruit)
1:00 pm-2:00 pm: Country Music with Bill & Bobbie Malone
Monday, November 25
11:30 am-12:00 pm: Yoga from a chair with Estelle Katz
12:00 pm-1:00 pm: Turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, mixed green salad, sweet potato crumble (Veggie option: Stuffed peppers)
1:00 pm-2:00 pm: Great Composers: Dan Barker on Piano
Next month dates:
December 2nd, 9th, & 16th
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Save the Date for Jewish events in the Madison Community
Please join us to celebrate the highlights and successes of the past year, honor our award recipients, and elect the board of directors and officers. Hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus
7762 County Route PD
Verona, WI 53593
Sunday, November 17th, 2019
From 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
The Exhibit is a special collection on lease from the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland and is composed of 31 special posters documenting the horrific story of Auschwitz Camp.
Union South – Gallery 1308 (first floor)
1308 W Dayton St
Madison, WI 53715
November 11th through 17th, 2019
Gallery hours: building open – 10:00 pm daily
Bird in the Room (2015) is a documentary about a young Israeli poet, Tirza Atar, and her father, Nathan Alterman, Israel’s national poet, as they compete for recognition in the world of words.
Temple Beth El 2702 Arbor Drive Madison, WI 53711
Wednesday, November 20th, 2019
From 7:00pm to 10:00pm
The Social Action Committee of Temple Beth El invites you to welcome Shabbat together at dinner and a service focused on the struggle for racial justice and what we can do to support real progress.
Temple Beth El 2702 Arbor Drive Madison, WI 53711
Friday, November 22, 2019
From 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Sunday, November 24 at 10:45 am.
Come to Beth Israel Israel Center (or stay after Living Torah) and learn about the rights of undocumented immigrants and how to protect those rights when providing assistance to individuals in sanctuary. This training is open to everyone and is required for those volunteering on-site at a host congregation. (Beth Israel Center is not a host congregation.) A similar training will be offered at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 - 8:00pm.
Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound Street.
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