HIAS

HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is America’s oldest international migration and refugee resettlement agency. Dedicated to assisting persecuted and oppressed people worldwide and delivering them to countries of safe haven, HIAS has rescued more than 4.5 million people since 1881. Growing from organizations founded in the 1870s and 1880s to assist Jewish migrants arriving in America, HIAS is responsible for the rescue and resettlement into the United States of noted academics, artists, athletes, entertainers, scientists, mayors, governors, and members of United States Congress, as well as everyday people. Its operational goals are based on Jewis religious teachings.

History

In 1927 HIAS merged with two other Jewish migration associations - ICA (Jewish Colonization Association), which was based in Paris but registered as a British charitable society; and Emigdirect, a migration organization based in Berlin - to form HICEM. The name HICEM is an acronym of HIAS, ICA, and Emigdirect. [ [http://www1.yadvashem.org/odot_pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%206368.pdf History of HICEM] ]

HIAS around the World

HIAS maintains a presence in key trouble spots around the world, including the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, Africa and Latin America. In addition, HIAS is also a member organisation of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).

External links

* http://www.hias.org
* [http://www.hias.org/files/u1/passages_autumn07.pdf Autumn 2007 statement]

References