RI Rep.: We Turned Away Jews in WWII Because of Bigotry and Fear

A group of Rhode Island lawmakers are lobbying Governor Gina Raimondo to join other governors across the United States who have announced they will shut their doors on Syrian refugees fleeing the brutal civil war that has torn apart their country.

For J. Aaron Regunberg, who represents Providence’s District 4 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, the quick response to block safe passage for refugees here is a reminder of how Jewish people fleeing the Nazis faced opposition, fear and bigotry.

“I am alive today because — after great desperation and hardship — my grandfather was able to flee Nazi Germany and find safety as a refugee in the Philippines,” Regenburg wrote in a letter to the Governor earlier this week. “One of the questions most young American Jews ask when they first learn about the Holocaust is, “Why didn’t our country save more European Jews by accepting them as refugees during this terrible period?” The answer — bigotry and fear — has always stuck in my mind as a mark of shame for our country, an example of the United States falling short of our ideals.”

Below is the full text of the letter:

Dear Governor Raimondo:

I write to encourage you to remain steadfast in your willingness to accept refugees fleeing crises in the Middle East and Africa, particularly Syria.

Too often in times of tragedy, fear leads people toward nationalistic and prejudiced actions, rather than the humanitarianism that is so badly needed in this fractured world. Fanning the flames of xenophobia and bigotry does nothing to increase safety, prevent further tragedy or increase understanding of the complicated problems causing refugees to flee their homelands despite the uncertainty of their futures abroad. Refugees are not the enemy; they are fleeing the same violence we want to fight, and this attack may have been designed to create this very backlash against them.

I am alive today because — after great desperation and hardship — my grandfather was able to flee Nazi Germany and find safety as a refugee in the Philippines.

One of the questions most young American Jews ask when they first learn about the Holocaust is, “Why didn’t our country save more European Jews by accepting them as refugees during this terrible period?” The answer — bigotry and fear — has always stuck in my mind as a mark of shame for our country, an example of the United States falling short of our ideals.

It looks like we’re at another decision point. Let’s choose the path that stays true to our ideals and to the inscription on the Statue of Liberty:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

America has always been improved and strengthened by our immigrants. We are at our best when we recognize that truth and resist fearful calls to ignore those who seek refuge from danger. We can do this responsibly and safely, and I urge you to keep Rhode Island true to its long history of welcoming those who seek sanctuary from persecution.

Very sincerely,

J. Aaron Regunberg

Representative – District 4, Providence