The deterioration of the status of a remnant of the biblical people of Kush so far up the Nile from the more familiar Beta Israel of Ethiopia challenges us in more ways than seem tolerable. We can ask why there is so much trouble for these proud upholders of an ancient national and religious tradition, but right now a more important question presents itself: HOW CAN KULANU AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
U.S. Members of Congress have been alerted, and now they must be encouraged to transform their concern into action. Now that Tutsis are providing information from the ground and Human Rights has real currency as an idea and as an organizational force, we must build on this. We need to find reporters who speak French fluently, Jewish and non-Jewish, who will carry their cell phones and be ready at all times to answer calls from Burundi. We need to be able to purchase and service a large number of cell phones for critical sources in Burundi, to pass timely information and to facilitate the rescue of those who come under attack. We need funds to help endangered people to move to safer locations and to redeem imprisoned military officers and members of Havila. And we are drawing down the Kulanu treasury until soon there will be none left.
Emergencies are rarely on schedule, and schedules do not like emergencies. Please break your schedule. Call Kulanu at 301-681-5679 to offer your support and help. Seek a broader base of support in your synagogues. Tap your contacts in government, the press, and Jewish organizations and move them to action. Check out our Web site (www.Kulanu.org) for information about the Tutsi and the latest developments in Burundi, and spread the news. And make a restricted gift to Kulanu, designating the Tutsi fund, by sending a check to
Harriet Bograd, Kulanu Treasurer
165 West End Avenue #3R
New York, NY 10023.
Jack Zeller
