Humanity overboard

The problem is not our problem to solve alone. Nor can the burden of solution fall exclusively on the shoulders of Australians. Moreover, open hearts and open minds do not equate with gaping open borders. Our customs personnel routinely monitor all international travelers for contraband, narcotics and rogue citrus fruit. As of necessity, all processing of refugees must attend to our domestic security no less than our biosecurity.

We might well be the most attractive and preferred place of refuge. We are not the only one. We must, nonetheless play our part. It was a tragically short step from rejection of Jewish refugees by the western and European powers at the Evian Conference in 1938 to the Final Solution initiated at the Wansee Conference in 1942.

Immigration must be resourced and supported. Immigrants must be integrated and not alienated. As of necessity, those who come must be educated in our language and our values; must be tutored in the benefits of democracy and the freedoms we enjoy. We wish them to subscribe to the belief that all are equal with no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, caste or faith. As we offer these in good faith we trust they will be reciprocated by goodwill. However, just as Australia has benefited from waves of immigrants in the past, we must be open to the benefits that diverse cultures will bring us in the future.

I trust that my grandfather is proud of all that his grandchildren have achieved. In two generations we have come a long way. But I can't be true to his memory and I know he'd never forgive me if I turned my back on people who needed my help, as they clutched their own "dearest Rolf" letters and if I left them all at sea.

© R' Jeremy Lawrence

(Rabbi Lawrence is Senior Rabbi at The Great Synagogue, Sydney and a consultant to many Jewish representative and interfaith organisations. He holds a Masters degree in Jurisprudence from St Catherine's College, Oxford.)