November 2020

Dr, Fauci has stated we are either part of the solution or part of the problem.  I wonder if that popular slogan is an offshoot of Rabbi Tarfon’s oft-quoted saying that it is not your responsibility to finish the work, but you are not free to desist from it either.  In this time of Covid-19, all of us are involved in continuing to be vigilant in pikuach nefesh—saving lives.

On Sunday, November 15, we have the opportunity to hear the story of one woman’s determination to help save the lives of Syria’s Jews.  When I first heard about Judy Feld Carr, I admit I did not know Syrian Jews were being oppressed and held hostage.  I did not know that back in 1977, Syria was on Hadassah’s radar and sent a delegation of 15 women to Syria to meet with Syrian Jews, always with the Muhabarat—the secret police—present.  The Syrian Jewish Community in New York credits Judy with waking up the world to the terrible plight of Syria’s Jews.  Yitzhak Rabin’s letter is on her wall, conveying the gratitude of all rescued Syrian Jews and the State of Israel for her hard and dangerous work.  I hope you will join us to hear from the historian who wrote the book that captures her unbelievable—yet true— story.

Since 2011, amidst the civil war in Syria, Hadassah has worked to be part of the solution.  As part of Israel’s Good Neighbor Program, the Israel Defense Forces bring Syrian children with congenital heart defects to Hadassah Ein Kerem for life-saving surgery.  Hadassah is one vital piece of the larger humanitarian effort.  Even as Judy had ransomed or smuggled Jews out of Syria in extreme secrecy, these Syrian non-Jewish mothers secretly bring their children to Israel. Despite believing Israel is an enemy of Syria when they arrive; these mothers leave Hadassah Hospital filled with gratitude.

With a heart full of gratitude, especially at Thanksgiving,

Ettie Davis, President

Join us as speaker Harold Troper tells the remarkable story of one woman’s role in the rescue of Syrian Jews from the 1970’s to 2001. Out of necessity, Judy was “the best-kept secret in the Jewish world.”

Working out of her home in Toronto, Judy Feld Carr struggled to bring the plight of Syrian Jewry to the attention of the world and campaigned for their right to emigrate. Less well known is that she was personally involved in ransoming thousand of Syrian Jews, covertly helping individual Jews and families find freedom. Harold Troper, a Canadian historian was chosen by Judy Feld Carr to write her story. He has co-authored several award-winning books and is a Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the University of Toronto.