Darfur Genocide: The RCA and OU Comment President Bush for his Strong Stand

They condemn Sudanese government supported atrocities and persecution of millions of innocent people.

Apr 7, 2006 —

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20050


Dear Mr. President,

The Rabbinical Council of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, representing many hundreds of Orthodox Rabbis and congregations, commend you for your strong and principled stand concerning the atrocities being perpetrated on innocent people of Darfur.

Our tradition teaches the transcendent value of even a single human life, a value rooted in the fact that each person is created in the image of God. The Passover season reminds us that we, too, were victims of tyrants, in the same region of the world. Moreover, our own history teaches us the bitter lesson of what happens when the world is silent in the face of genocide.

Our rabbis have joined with other clergy to publicly call attention to these horrors; we have urged all possible efforts to stem the violence, and we continue to mobilize our communities to stand up – and not stand by – while innocent blood is shed. It is indeed heartening to hear the powerful voice of the United States government and its Chief Executive placing their weight behind this important collaborative effort.

We will continue to work in every way we can to prevent genocide in the Sudan.

May the Almighty bless the work of our collective hands, help avert this disaster, and bring to justice those who perpetrate and countenance such evil.

Rabbi Dale Polakoff
President
Rabbinical Council of America

Mr. Stephen J. Savitsky
President
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

Rabbi Basil Herring
Executive Vice President
Rabbinical Council of America

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
Executive Vice President
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America