This month we feature an organization that has been helping refugees enter the US for more than 125 years. It is also an organization on which this publication's editor serves as a Board member and which was responsible for resettling his family in this country a number of years ago.

The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (http://www.hias.org) primarily assists Jews who face persecution to settle in the United States and other countries of their choice. HIAS also has played a key role in assisting thousands of non-Jews settle in the US. For example, in recent years, HIAS has helped numerous Iranian Bahais, Bosnians and Vietnamese find safe haven in the United States. However, HIAS is best known for helping hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Former Soviet Union and from Iran escape anti-Semitism and settle in communities across the United States.

Originally called the Hebrew Emigrant Aid Society, HIAS was founded in 1880 and charged with helping Jews who had recently escaped the Pogroms of Czarist Russia. Among other activities, the organization provided basic shelter, food and clothing to the newly arrived immigrants. During the World War II years, HIAS worked to help Jews escape Hitler and after the war played a critical role in bringing in Holocaust survivors. And in recent years, attention has turned back to the rescue of Jews from Russia and surrounding countries.

HIAS' refugee resettlement activities start well in advance of the arrival of a new American. It has representatives in Russia and other places in the world to assist refugees with the emigration process. It then works to ensure the provision of resettlement assistance to the refugees and migrants through cooperation with a network of resettlement and social service agencies throughout the United States. Finally, HIAS advocates for the needs of refugees and migrants at the international, national and community levels.

In fact, HIAS is a highly respected voice in Washington refugee and immigration policy circles. It has a representative office in DC that is actively involved in analyzing immigration policy and in coordinating grassroots advocacy efforts.

To receive information on joining HIAS, call 212-967-4442 or visit their web site.