Letter from the CEO

Posted on Fri, Jul 07, 2006 at 14:03 pm

by Gideon Aronoff, HIAS President and CEO

In 2006 we celebrated our quasquicentennial – that’s 125 years of rescue, resettlement, and reunion. One hundred and twenty-five is a remarkable milestone for any organization, but for HIAS and the American Jewish community, it was an accomplishment of which we were immensely proud.

We derived our mission from the teaching Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze ba Ze (all Jews are responsible, one for the other), the Torah’s injunction to welcome the stranger and

Seasoned Immigration, Refugee Policy Expert Re-Joins HIAS Staff

Posted on Tue, Jun 06, 2006 at 14:49 pm

(New York City)– HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, has tapped Mark Hetfield to serve as senior vice president for policy and programs. Hetfield will oversee HIAS’ Washington, D.C., office as well as the organization’s domestic and international program operations. He was named to his new post by Gideon Aronoff, who became HIAS’ new president and CEO earlier this spring.

“ Mark Hetfield has been and will be an invaluable asset to HIAS,” says Aronoff. “His work with us in the

Senator Lieberman To Receive HIAS Liberty Award For Peace And Freedom

Posted on Wed, May 31, 2006 at 14:46 pm

A Strong Advocate for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

(New York City)- Recognizing Joseph I. Lieberman’s (D-Conn.) tremendous efforts on behalf of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, will present him with its highest honor, the Liberty Award, at a ceremony in Washington May 23.

The award honors an individual “who has made a substantial contribution to the furtherance of peace and freedom.”

Senator Lieberman has been leading the push to ensure that Comprehensive Immigration Reform improves the

150 From Around The World To Receive HIAS Scholarships In June 5 Ceremony

Posted on Wed, May 31, 2006 at 14:44 pm

78 now live in New York; 31 in California; 8 in Ohio

Awards are a "Mitzvah" from donors

(New York, NY)– One hundred and fifty immigrant students from all over the world now living in the United States will be awarded HIAS scholarships in a ceremony June 5 at Lighthouse International, 111 East 59 th Street in Manhattan.

HIAS – the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society – will award the scholarships to recognize the students’ academic achievements, financial need and community involvement. In all,

Senate Bill a Good Start, But Serious Work Left To Be Done, Says HIAS

Posted on Wed, May 31, 2006 at 14:43 pm

(New York City)- Thursday’s Senate vote on Comprehensive Immigration Reform has officials at HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - cautiously optimistic; work, they say, is still needed before the legislation can fulfill its potential as a true comprehensive fix for America’s broken immigration system.

“This vote does represent a step forward in reforming our immigration system in a constructive way,” says Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS. “But it still contains provisions that will exclude many deserving immigrants

HIAS: Lieberman-Brownback Amendment Should Be Included in Immigration Reform

Posted on Wed, Apr 05, 2006 at 14:40 pm

The “Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act” Would Honor U.S. History of Welcoming Asylum Seekers Fleeing Persecution

(Washington, D.C.)- The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) calls on Congress as it considers critical immigration reform legislation in the coming days to use this unique opportunity to fix longstanding problems with U.S. asylum detention policies and practices. Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) have proposed a solution that would ensure that individuals fleeing persecution and seeking safe haven in the

Refugee, Immigrant Policy Expert Elected HIAS President

Posted on Mon, Feb 27, 2006 at 14:35 pm

(New York City)- Jerome S. Teller, Chair of the Board of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) announced today that Gideon Aronoff has been elected by the Board of Trustees to serve as president and chief executive officer. Aronoff joined HIAS in 2000 and has served with distinction as its vice president for governmental relations and public policy and director of the organization's Washington, D.C. office.

HIAS, the country's oldest refugee, rescue and resettlement agency currently celebrating its 125th anniversary, is delighted

Refugee Needs Exceed Administration’s 2007 Budget Request

Posted on Tue, Feb 07, 2006 at 11:46 am

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) - the nation’s leading coalition of refugee resettlement, human rights, and humanitarian organizations - commends the White House for making refugee assistance a priority in the President’s fiscal year 2007 (FY07) budget proposal and urges Congress to build on the President’s budget submission by providing additional urgently needed resources to assist the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The President’s proposed increase for the Department of State’s Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account comes as humanitarian assistance and protection

"When I Grow Up." HIAS Announces Theme for '06 Poster Contest

Posted on Fri, Jan 20, 2006 at 10:38 am

(New York City) - What do you want to be when you grow up? What goals and dreams do you hope to achieve as an adult here in the United States? These are questions that young immigrants from around the country are asked to answer artistically in the 2006 Poster Contest for Immigrant Youth.

This year marks the 12th year that HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - has sponsored the contest as a way to keep its

HIAS Launches Campaign to Preserve Immigrant Arrival Records

Posted on Wed, Dec 14, 2005 at 10:20 am

Phase I of massive project will cover largest Russian wave, 1960s-2000s

(New York City) – HIAS, Inc., the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, has begun a massive undertaking to digitally preserve millions of case files in its archives. The campaign to raise funds for the first phase of the project will be led by Genia Brin, a scientist working with NASA who, along with her family, was resettled in the United States with the assistance of HIAS.

The HIAS