Opinion OTHER VIEWS Unity Binds The Jewish Community A s we gather at our respective seder tables with loved ones, friends and extended family, we join Jews around the world in telling the story of the Jewish struggle against oppression and the search for freedom. Struggling as a Jewish people has been a recurring theme throughout our history, and one that remains central even today. We have never had it easy. Today, while our local Jewish commu- nity is blessed with many freedoms, we are also facing economic hardship and a struggle of a different kind. I know so many families are struggling this Pesach with worries that they did not have to face just a year ago; and the needs of the Jewish community in Israel have never abated. As president of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, I have seen firsthand how hard each of our 19 partner agencies has been work- ing to keep up with the demand for some measure of help from the steadily increasing number of our community members in true need — community members who find them- selves in financial distress through no fault of their own. And yet, we can be very proud in the way our community has answered the call to help those in need by generously supporting Federation. Pesach is a time to come together as a family, to pass the message of struggle and hope from generation to generation. By inviting others to the seder table who are not as fortunate, we are performing a mitzvah. It's also a way to signify that in Jewish life, "family" is consid- ered broader than those who live within the same four walls — a concept bigger than those who are related to each other. We are all part of a much larger family, and the reason we have survived through one struggle after another is because our resiliency is based on tikkun olam, repair of the world, and to understand that the strength of our community is truly dependent upon each of us, helping one another. Thank you for your participation in this wonderful community. Happy Passover to you and your fam- ily. ri Nancy Grosfeld is in her first year as presi- dent of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in Bloomfield Township. Passover And Our Inner Immigrant New York/JTA rnmigration restrictionists frequently charge that American Jewish atti- tudes about immigration are mired in a sepia-toned time warp where bubbies in babush- kas and wide-eyed zaydies are still hob- bling off boats from the old country. Sentimentalities aside, we must not lose sight of the fact that Jews are Gideon a religious and Aronoff ethical people and Special the bearers of an Commentary ancient tradition whose messages take on even greater immediacy as we pre- pare to celebrate Passover. We are taught to internalize the lesson that is repeated throughout the Torah and the Talmud that we must "welcome the stranger;' "not oppress the stranger;' "protect the stranger;' "have one law for the stranger and the citizen among you," because "you were strangers in the land of Egypt." In other words, for most Jewish Americans, immigration in the 21st centu- ry is far more nuanced, melding parochial interests with universal Jewish values and our national interests as Americans. Today, as low-skilled Latin American and Asian workers clamber to get into the U.S. legally or illegally, we are witness- ing a striking parallel to our own Jewish American history. We remember that A42 April 17 • 2008 when massive waves of Jewish immigrants arrived in the U.S. at the turn of the last century, there were few visa requirements, so it was relatively easy to be admitted legally. By the early 1920s, however, severe restrictions had been established and Jews began resorting to illegal entry or were denied access, with tragic consequences during the Holocaust. U.S. Immigrants Against this background, it is important to understand the diverse goals, hopes, needs and expectations the Jewish community holds for America's immigration system. With 10 percent of American Jews for- eign born, Jewish self-interest requires a system that facilitates Jewish immigration and protects Jewish refugees coming to our shores from places they are not wel- come. Yet it is neither moral nor practical to carve out a system that admits Jews but restricts others, slamming the door to America behind us. We additionally have a need for a vibrant economy now and in the future. While the economic analysis of the pros and cons of immigration is certainly com- plex, the argument that our country needs significant immigration to continue its prosperity is strong. Since 1990, immigrants have started one of every four U.S. venture-backed public companies, especially in the technology arena. American immigrants founded or co-founded some of the world's most prominent tech companies, among them Intel, Sun Microsystems, eBay, Yahoo! and Google. Forty percent of companies oper- ating in high-tech manufacturing today were started by immigrants. In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said we will need to raise immigration levels to 3.5 million people annually to overcome the effects of baby boomers retiring from the workforce. The Jewish community also requires federal policies that enhance community and national security. Jews need real secu- rity; and real security will come only from careful analysis, policymaking and focus on individuals where evidence shows they may present a threat. The vast majority of undocumented workers are not dangerous actors against U.S. interests. They need attention from the U.S. government, but not from those charged with keeping our homeland safe. Immigration agents waste valuable resources chasing busboys and nannies. Multicultural Respect One of the best ways to enhance our secu- rity is to develop policies that promote the integration of newcomers while valu- ing American diversity. When allowed to truly integrate, all groups become true Americans, even while keeping alive their individual heritages. That is what allowed us to become fully Jewish and fully American. It also is the reason you can still get great sauerkraut in Philadelphia or Cincinnati while know- ing that the business of ordering it will be conducted in English and not German. Embracing that diversity always has been a hallmark of the American Jewish community, demonstrated by the preva- lence of Jewish community relations councils across the United States that build bridges with other ethnic and reli- gious groups to achieve common goals. As a people who have been targeted by hate crimes and violent language for centuries, we stand with these groups when immi- grants of other backgrounds are today's targets. We Jews must remain deeply engaged with the challenges of American immigra- tion. When some 500 Mexicans die each year on our southern border trying to reach this country, it is no less our prob- lem. Yet we must also unpack the answers to some critical questions: How generous should we be to people who are fleeing persecution? If practically speaking we cannot deport 12 million people, is it better to leave them in the shadows or create a package of enhanced enforcement, new immigration opportu- nities, and legalization and integration programs? What policies best promote the inte- gration of newcomers? Since we cannot accept everyone in the world, what are the criteria for a controlled, liberal immigra- tion system? Though our specific answers to these fundamental questions may vary, as a community we must stay mindful of our time in Egypt by seizing the opportunity to fight the forces of immigration restric- tion as we seek to create a 21st century American Jewish movement for immi- grants and refugees. ❑ Gideon Aronoff is president and CEO of HIAS, the international immigration agency of the American Jewish community.