When Is a Refugee No Longer a Refugee and Other Post-Settlement Observations

Publication Date: January 1992

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): Robert Hyfler

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Outreach; Jewish Identification; Social Services

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

I think we have created entitlements for Soviet Jews that may have transferability to our domestic population, particularly in the area of Jewish acculturation and education. Soviet Jews are a people at the margin who have been brought into our system. However, there exist other Jews, equally marginal, who are not thought of or cared for as we care for our New Americans. Who invites them to synagogues or Passover seders? Where are our structures to perform small acts of compassion on their behalf. Have we carefully and compassionately explored the issue of affordability of services and its impact on those who are unpoor yet unrich?