Rabbi 360

On this Day of Remembrance,

We commemorate the Japanese interment

We remember the 120,000 taken from their homes

And placed in detention

For no other reason than their heritage and identity.

As Jews, we know what it is like to be

Removed from our communities

Stripped of our possessions

Exiled to camps

Treated as other and unwanted.

Let us remember the same government

That interred its citizens from Japan

Closed its doors to Jewish refugees from Europe,

Forcing them to return to a terrible fate.

Let us remember the suffering caused by

a government that professes equality and liberty

yet acted with fear and suspicion.

Let us remember the words of our Torah,

“Do not oppress the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

And as we remember,

we commit to overcome

Racism and hatred

Fear and xenophobia.

We commit to welcoming the immigrant

and loving our neighbor,

and understanding that we are all created betzelem Elohim, in the image of God.

Zachor (Remember)

Nidoto Nai Yoni (Let It Not Happen Again).