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Home , Ameinu, Congregation Beth Elohim, New York Board of Rabbis, Orthodox Union, Temple Beth El (Detroit), Union Temple of Brooklyn

June 20, 2018

The Honorable Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530

The Honorable Kirstjen Nielsen Secretary of Homeland Security Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528

Dear Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Nielsen,

On behalf of the 55 undersigned national and 291 state and local Jewish organizations and institutions, we write to express our strong opposition to the recently expanded “zero-tolerance” policy that includes separating children from their migrant parents when they cross the border. This policy undermines the values of our nation and jeopardizes the safety and well-being of thousands of people.

As , we understand the plight of being an immigrant fleeing violence and oppression. We believe that the is a nation of immigrants and how we treat the stranger reflects on the moral values and ideals of this nation.

Many of these migrant families are seeking asylum in the United States to escape violence in Central America. Taking children away from their families is unconscionable. Such practices inflict unnecessary trauma on parents and children, many of whom have already suffered traumatic experiences. This added trauma negatively impacts physical and mental health, including increasing the risk of early death.1

Separating families is a cruel punishment for children and families simply seeking a better life and exacerbates existing challenges in our immigration system. It adds to the backlog of deportation cases and legal challenges in federal courts, places thousands more immigrants in detention facilities and shelters, endangers the lives of more children, and instills additional fear in people seeking safety in our country. In addition, those seeking asylum or other legal protection face numerous obstacles to making a claim, especially from detention. Separating family members at the border would force families into two or more immigration cases instead of a single case for each family, harming their ability to present a successful case.

Our Jewish faith demands of us concern for the stranger in our midst. Our own people’s history as “strangers” reminds us of the many struggles faced by immigrants today and compels our commitment to an immigration system in this country that is compassionate and just. We urge

1 Michael MacKenzie, Emily Bosk, and Charles Zeanah, “Separation Families at the Border- Consequences for Children’s Health and Well-Being,” New England Journal of Medicine, June 15, 2017, available at https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp1703375. you to immediately rescind the “zero tolerance” policy and uphold the values of family unity and justice on which our nation was built.

Sincerely,

National Organizations

Academy for Jewish Religion American Committee for Shaare Zedek American Conference of Cantors American Jewish Committee (AJC) American Jewish World Service Anti-Defamation League Avodah B’nai B’rith International Be'chol Lashon Bend the Arc Jewish Action Central Conference of American Eitzah Center for Congregational Leadership Eshel North America Hadar Institute Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. HIAS Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals International Association of Women in Radio and Television-USA International Rabbinic Fellowship Jewish Council for Public Affairs Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance Jewish Women International jGirls Magazine Keshet Men of National Association of Jewish Legislators National Council of Jewish Women Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Board of Rabbis NFTY – The Reform Jewish Youth Movement Rabbinical Council of America Reconstructing Judaism Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Sephardic Heritage International DC (SHIN DC) The Association of Rabbis & Cantors The Cantors Assembly The Center for at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College The National Center for Civil Discourse The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding The Shalom Center The Workmen's Circle Tikkun Magazine T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights United of Uri L'Tzedek, The Orthodox Social Justice Movement Women of Reform Judaism Women's League for Conservative Judaism

State and Local Organizations

Arizona National Council of Jewish Women, Los Arizona Jews for Justice Angeles Section National Council of Jewish Women, Arizona Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees Section Shalom Bayit Temple Beth Am California Temple Beth Emet Adath of San Francisco Wilshire Boulevard Temple Beit TShuvah YINBH Beverly Hills Synagogue Beth Jacob Congregation Bnai David-Judea Colorado Community Shul of Montecito and Santa DAT Barbara National Council of Jewish Women, Colorado Congregation Kol Shofar Section Jewish Center for Justice Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, Beth Sholom B'nai Israel Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Congregation Agudath Sholom Jewish Family Service of of Greater Hartford Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley New Canaan and Darien Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) Delaware Jewish Vocational Service Jewish Family Services Kenesset Israel Center Leo Baeck Temple District of Columbia Adas Israel Congregation Congregation Bet Mishpachah New Jewish Outreach-Renewing the Hill Havurah Conversation SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Florida Tzedek Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center Bet Shira Indiana Bnai Torah Congregation Congergation Shaarey Tefiilla, Carmel Congregation Beth Israel of Ocala Congregation B'nai Jacob Jewish Community Relations Council of the Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Greater Miami Jewish Federation Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando Council Miami Beach Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne National Council of Jewish Women, Florida Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis State Policy Advocate Temple Adath B'nai Israel National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Miami Section Iowa National Council of Jewish Women, Agudas Achim Congregation Sarasota/Manatee Section Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines National Council of Jewish Women, Valencia Temple Adath B'nai Israel Shores Section Tifereth Israel Synagogue Orlando Jewish Community Relations Council University of Iowa Louis Shulman Hillel Rabbinical Association of Greater Foundation Miami/Miami Jewish Federation Temple Beth Or Kansas Temple Beth Or-Miami Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City Temple Beth Sholom Kentucky Georgia Jewish Federation of Louisville Hadassah Greater Atlanta Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, Inc. Jewish Community Relations Council of Ohavay Zion Synagogue Atlanta National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section Illinois Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation Louisiana Beth Emet The Free Synagogue Congregation Beth Israel Jewish Child and Family Services Chicago Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Jewish Community Relations Council of National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Chicago New Orleans Section Jewish Community Relations Council of Shir Conservative Congregation Springfield Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Maine National Council of Jewish Women, Illinois National Council of Jewish Women, Maine State Policy Advocate Section National Council of Jewish Women, South Cook Section Maryland Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation Baltimore Jewish Council Mayim Rabim Congregation Habonim Dror Camp Moshava Minnesota Hillel Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota Rabbinical Association Greater Washington Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul Jews United for Justice National Council of Jewish Women, New Tamid Minnesota Section Temple Beth Ami National Council of Jewish Women, Minnesota State Policy Advocate Massachusetts Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council Beth Tikvah Synagogue of Westborough Shir Tikvah Congregation Congregation Dorshei Tzedek St. Paul Jewish Federation Congregation Shaarei Tefillah Torah of Saint Paul Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action Temple Israel Jewish Children & Family Services of Greater Temple of Aaron Boston Women of Adath Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston Minnesota and the Dakotas Jewish Vocational Service Boston Jewish Family and Community Services Moishe Kavod House Jewish Community Relations Council of Temple Beth Zion (TBZ) Minnesota and the Dakotas The Young Israel of Brookline Hadassah Upper Midwest Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC - Detroit Missouri Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County Bais Abraham Congregation Kehillat Etz Chayim Jewish Community Relations Council of St. National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan Louis State Policy Advocate Jewish Family & Children's Service of St. Louis Minnesota Adath Jeshurun Congregation (Hesed and Women’s League) Congregation Bnai Jacob Jersey City. Bet Shalom Congregation Highland Park Conservative Temple - Beth El Synagogue Congregation Anshe Emeth Congregation Darchei Noam Highland Park Minyan Hadassah Minneapolis Jewish Family Service of MetroWest Herzl Camp Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest Hesed Committee- Adath Jeshurun Maayan of West Orange Congregation National Council of Jewish Women, Essex Jewfolk, Inc. County Section Jewish Community Action Oheb Shalom Congregation. Jewish Family and Children's Service of Temple Avodat Shalom Minneapolis Temple Emanu-El Jewish Family Service of St. Paul Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center Jewish Housing and Programming (J-HAP) The Cantors Assembly of Hoboken Temple Shaaray Tefila Temple Sinai New Mexico The Interfaith Center of New York Jewish Care Program The New Jewish Home Jewish Federation of New Mexico T'hilah Union Temple of New York West End Synagogue Ansche Chesed Beth David Synagogue North Carolina B'nai Jeshurun Beth Meyer Synagogue Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Carolina Jews for Justice Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte Jewish Federation of Durham Chapel Hill Congregation Beth Hamedresh - Beth Israel Congregation Beth Sholom North Dakota Congregation Etz Chaim Congregation Mount Sinai Congregation Tehillah Ohio Educational Alliance Beth Jacob Congregation Columbus Ohio Greater New York Labor Religion Coalition Cincinnati Jewish Community Relations Hillel Community Day School Council Jewish Community Relations Council of Congregation Agudas Achim Buffalo Congregation Torat Emet Jewish Community Relations Council of New Jewish Community Relations Committee of York Columbus Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester Jewish Family Services Columbus Jewish Federation and Foundation of Jewish Vocational Service Career Services Rockland County K. K. Bene Israel, Rockdale Temple Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Kane Street Synagogue, Brooklyn Section Kolot Chayeinu National Council of Jewish Women, Ohio Muslim Jewish Solidarity Committee State Policy Advocate North Country Reform Temple The Little Minyan Kehilah Prospect Heights Shul SAJ: Judaism that Stands for All Oklahoma Temple Beth Am Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City Temple Beth David Jewish Federation of Tulsa Temple Beth El of Oneonta Temple Beth Sholom Oregon Temple Beth-El Ahavas Torah Temple B'rith Kodesh Beth Sholom Congregation Temple of Jewish Family & Child Service of Portland Temple Emanu-El Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Temple Emanu-El of Canarsie Temple Israel of the City of New York Pennsylvania Beth Sholom Congregation Jewish Family Service of San Antonio, Texas, Congregation B'nai Harim Inc. Jewish Community Relations Council Greater Jewish Federation of San Antonio Philadelphia National Council of Jewish Women, Austin Jewish Family and Children's Service of Section Greater Philadelphia National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Jewish Family and Community Services of Dallas Section Pittsburg National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley Houston Section Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg National Council of Jewish Women, San National Council of Jewish Women, Antonio Section Pennsylvania Advocacy Committee National Council of Jewish Women, Texas Progressive Jewish Voice of Central State Policy Advocate Pennsylvania National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Temple Beth Shalom, Mechanicsburg Houston Section Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley National Council of Jewish Women, Utah Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue Section Temple Beth Israel Virginia South Carolina Kol Ami: The Northern Virginia Charleston Jewish Family Services Reconstructionist Community Charleston Jewish Federation Community Relations Council of the Washington State Columbia Jewish Federation Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue Congregation Dor Tikvah Congregation Beth Israel Walla Walla Greenville Jewish Federation Congregation Beth Shalom The South Carolina Council on the Holocaust Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Tennessee Reconstructionist Community Community Relations Committee of the Kol HaNeshamah Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of National Council of Jewish Women, Nashville and Middle Tennessee Washington State Policy Advocate Congregation Micah Temple Beth Hatfiloh Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga Temple B'nai Torah Memphis Jewish Federation The Kavana Cooperative Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Washington State Jewish Historical Society National Council of Jewish Women, Nashville Section Wisconsin National Council of Jewish Women, Beth Hillel Temple Tennessee State Policy Advocate Coalition for Jewish Learning The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom Congregation Beth Jehuda Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun Texas Congregation Sinai Jewish Family Service Houston Hillel at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hillel Milwaukee Jewish Community Relations Council, Milwaukee Jewish Family Services, Inc. Jewish Museum Milwaukee Milwaukee Milwaukee Jewish Federation Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center National Council of Jewish Women, Milwaukee Section The Spark Wisconsin Wisconsin Council of Rabbis Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Wisconsin Jewish Conference

International

Canada Adath Israel Poale Zedek Anshei Ozeroff Congregation National Social Action Committee/Canadian Council for Reform Judaism