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The Charlotte Jewish News - September 2010 - Page 20 HIAS NC Declares Its Independence; CRRA is Born By Karen Brodsky In the 1990s an influx of Russian Jews from the former Soviet Union began arriving in Charlotte. Volunteers from Jewish Family Service welcomed the refugees and made them comfort able. The community donated fur niture, pots and pans, dishes, glassware, linens, towels, cutlery, food — and their warm reception - to the new arrivals. In 1996, a new agency opened with little fanfare to continue the work. Doing business in parking lots, a home office, and in her car, Ellen Dubin resettled Russian Jews and other refugees in apart ment complexes on the south and east side of town with the goal of helping them become self-suffi- cient residents of Charlotte. “It was an exhilarating time for me, and it is amazing to look back at the agency’s growth and the sub sequent success of so many for mer refugees,” said Dubin. HIAS Inc., an organization with a histo ry going back to 1881, was the owner of the agency, known as HIAS NC. Refugees who come to Charlotte are on the run from war and violence, restrictive govern ments, where they are not allowed to work, not allowed to send their children to school, where they are in constant danger, and where they are not permitted to practice their faith their way. To this day, HIAS NC embraces refugees who arrive in Charlotte, recognizing their troubling experi ences, easing their transition into a new country, and respecting their need to remember where they came from. On January 1, 2011, HIAS NC will officially be independent of HIAS Inc. and carry the new name of Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, Inc. (CRRA). The agency earned its Federal tax exempt sta tus-501 (c) (3) — this past spring and organized a board of directors. Independence from HIAS Inc. allows CRRA to become a local, grassroots agency. The name immediately tells what the organi zation does in a few words. If the future is rosy, the name also allows the agency to expand. With the intent of continuing its work the same way in the same location, CRRA has an infrastruc ture in place, is successful and resettles refugees of all nationali ties and religions. Over the years, the agency has resettled more than 2,000 refugees from 36 countries. Currently CRRA is welcoming Bhutanese from Nepali refugee camps, Burmese, Iraqis, Iranians, Montagnards from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and Africans. These new Americans work, pay taxes, and contribute to the diversity of this city. Over the last 20 years, most of the endangered Jews from the FSU who wanted to and who were able to leave their home countries for the U.S. or Israel, have left. Fortunately, there are few Jews fleeing their countries to safety. Most Iranian Jews have left, and HIAS Inc. recently resettled a small number of Yemenite Jews in Monsey, NY. Should this change, CRRA stands ready to welcome any num ber of Jewish refugees to Charlotte. Having a new moniker, but not divorcing itself from its traditional belief system, CRRA will contin ue to embrace the biblical tenants that call for Jews to welcome the stranger In the Bible, it states “Do not mistreat strangers living in your land, but treat them just as you treat your own citizens. Love strangers as you love yourselves, because you were strangers once in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:33-34). CRRA will continue to receive grants from the U.S. Department of State and the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in order to carry out its work. These grants do not pay all the bills for the agency. In the past, the community has been generous both with volun teers and with furniture and housewares, without which it would be impossible to provide services and furnish apartments for the new arrivals. CRRA is grateful for all that it has received. This is a new time for the organization. There are new needs. CRRA must have cash and pledges to continue its good work JCC Tributes Mindy Ellen Levine Day Camp Endowment Fund In honor of the Sandra and Leon Levine from Norman Levin and Mady Friedman In honor of Brian Levine’s graduation; in honor of Mason Sklut’s graduation from Jill and Ed Newman In honor of Sandra and Leon Levine’s anniversary; in honor of Leon Levine’s birthday from Lynn and Paul Edelstein Stuart Ostrow Memorial Fund for Athletics In memory of Edna Gans, mother of Connie Ostrow, grand mother of Lane Osfrow, Steve Osfrow and Debbie Vitale from Lynn and Paul Edelstein, Carolyn and Stuart Hennes, Elise Menaker, Robin and Michael Stier In honor of the graduations of Kevin Berman, Andrew Fishkin and Zach Maniloff from Sue and Kim Worrel Baby David, whose mother and father came from Chin State in Burma almost three years ago, laughs at the photographer in Charlotte. If you have been fol lowing the stories this newspaper has graciously published this year or know anything about the HIAS of your parents and grandparents, think of CRRA as the modem equivalent. Help us to succeed and fulfill the mitzvah of repairing the world for all. “In the coming months, more than ever, we need your support. We need volunteers, furniture and especially financial confributions in order to succeed. Without them, resettlement with a Jewish neshama (soul) will cease in North Carolina,” said Dubin. Contact CRRA at 704-535- 8803 or e-mail Karen.brodsky@ carolinarefugee.org to donate or volunteer ^ LJCC Butterfly Project In honor Laura Orland’s grad uation from Sue and Kim Worrel August Family Fund for Teen Programs In memory of Joan Lepow, mother of Steve Lepow from Judy and Stan August and family In honor the marriage of Phil and Beth Warshauer from Judy and Stan August Paul Spil Memorial Softball Fund In memory of Susan Rabinovich’s sister from the Morris Spil family ^ TCC Multiple Policies. One agent. I can help you save time & money. One agent for all your insurance needs saves tirre. And Allstate's multi-policy discounts are an easy way to save money. For affordable protection for your car, home, boat, motorcycle and more, call me first. Mike Littauer 704-573-1113 An Insurance Agency where the focus is on you! Charlotte - Matthews - Union County mlittauer(fflallstate.com ^ BBB ACCRhEUTU] BUSIMES /instate You're ir> good hands. Auto Home life Retirement Insurance and discDunIs subject lo terms, conditions ond availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Allstate indemnity Cpmpany: Northbroak, lllinbts © 2010 AN:&tate Insurance Cpmpany. 5 m on .where teaching is valued and learning is celebrated CHARLOTTE l.ATTN S C H O O L 9502 Providence Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28277 704.846.1100 www.charlottelatin.org. Tinancial assistance is availahle. Please inquire about the Malom Scholarship for'gifkd students in yth - 12th grades. You are invited to our ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE TK and Kindergarten Thursday, October j, 2010 - jp.m. TK and K through Grade 12 Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - ^.-30 a.m. RSVP to the Admissions Ol^f^ice: 704.846.7207 Remove from me the way of falsehood, and grace me with Your teaching. I choose the way of faithfulness; Your rules agree with me. Turn my eyes away from seeing vanity; revive me through Your ways! -Psalm 119:19-30,37
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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