A community educational event focusing on the crisis in Syria will be hosted by the Syrian American Council and Congregation Shomrei Emunah, in Montclair, NJ, on Thursday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m.

As communities across America helplessly watch news reports of atrocities occurring in Syria, those who are struck by the similarities to the Nazi Holocaust and the European refugee crisis of the late 1930s, feel particular horror.

At a time when our country is re-evaluating military involvements around the world, what can be done to stop the ceaseless slaughter of innocents? This is a question with which many of us are grappling. In response, “History Echoes … Does Anyone Hear?” will explore the origins of Syrian conflict, reflect on what can be learned from history, and focus on what American citizens can do to make a difference.

The discussion is free and open to the public. Congregation Shomrei Emunah is located at 67 Park St., Montclair and would appreciate that people planning to attend notify the synagogue via phone, at 973 746 5031 ext # 1, or via email at [email protected]  

Speakers will include:

• Mayor and SAC Board Member Mohamed Khairullah: Syrian-American mayor of Prospect Park, NJ. The mayor, of Syrian decent, will discuss what he has seen firsthand from human atrocities to the challenges of the medical missions in Syria. His frequent visits to the affected areas of Syria make him an expert on all movements taking place on the ground.

• Shlomo Bolts: Policy and Advocacy Officer at the Syrian American Council. Mr. Bolts has a B.A. from Columbia University in Political Science and Sociology, and an MPhil in Modern Society and Global Transformations from Cambridge University. He has ancestry from the Jewish communities of Aleppo, Syria. He will discuss how the conflict began and where it stands today, with special focus on the refugee plight and how we can help what has become the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two.

• Shehab Chowdhury, New York City Community Engagement Fellow at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. He is dedicated to fostering global citizenry on children’s rights and global development and has served in various capacities in diverse organizations, including the Department of State at the United States Embassy in New Delhi, Teach for America, and at a World at School. He will discuss the challenges facing the children of Syria. He will talk, as well, about the launch of a new project supporting the work of UNICEF: Kids Embracing Kids, which enables young people to help Syrian refugee children.  

For further information contact Dr. Janice Cohn via phone at 973 509 2320 or via email at [email protected]