HIAS has one job: Leave no Jew behind

The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society recently announced it was seeking a new CEO to lead the organization into the next phase of its century-long mission. This transition comes at a critical time, as Mark Hetfield, the current CEO, steps down, after having shepherded HIAS through an era of remarkable growth and transformative impact.

Yet, as HIAS looks to the future, the world around it is changing rapidly. The global landscape is shifting in ways that demand bold new leadership and a refocused mission. This moment is not just about replacing a leader; it is about determining the future of HIAS, as Jews face new threats.

In full disclosure, I was a refugee and I benefited from HIAS. I am so concerned about this moment that I even applied for the CEO position, knowing that my qualifications are not adequate for such a monumental role. I bring a unique perspective shaped by my personal experience as a refugee who fled Iran, the world’s largest exporter of hate and extremism, my work as a human rights activist and analyst, and my deep connection to the mission of this organization. And so, I humbly offer these recommendations to the HIAS board and to the next person who will take the helm.

1. A Call to Prioritize the Jewish Community

According to a recent study by Pew Research Center, Jews constitute one percent of the world’s immigrant population, despite their total population at 2%. That means that Jews are the single most religious group that will migrate outside of the country where they were born. Let that sink in and then ask yourselves: Is HIAS ready to address this era of unprecedented challenges?

Currently, HIAS allocates the bulk of its resources, over 90% of them, to non-Jews in need. Less than 10% supports Jews in times of crisis. It is my firm belief that this ratio must be reversed, rapidly.

The global Jewish community faces an alarming rise in antisemitism and extremism. Whether that is far-right hate, the rise of jihadi extremism, or the uncertainty of undemocratic governments, the Jews are being targeted in ways that demand a renewed focus on their safety, security, and well-being. HIAS must prioritize at least 90% of its resources to support the global Jewish community, ensuring that the organization’s original mission — to aid Jews in crisis — is not diluted or overshadowed by broader humanitarian efforts.

2. Preparing for Future Refugees

As we look to the future, HIAS must be prepared for the possibility of a new wave of Jewish refugees fleeing escalating violence, persecution, and economic instability. With ongoing crises in the Middle East, Europe, and even the US, the potential for Jewish migration is very real. HIAS must work with governments, in preemptively establishing special visa programs for rapid transit situations. Furthermore, it should reimagine and expand the scope of its services in Israel.

For many Jews escaping antisemitism and authoritarianism, Israel is the most logical and pragmatic option for both short term and long-term resettlement. HIAS should prepare for this reality and develop new collaborative strategies with Israel-based organizations, such as the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to accommodate Jews seeking refuge in Israel.

3. Reparations for Displaced Jews

Post-Holocaust, many institutions have mobilized to facilitate reparations for victims of the Holocaust and their descendants. In contrast, Jews from Arab countries and Iran have been displaced, their communities destroyed, and their assets confiscated, and we are yet to see a comprehensive restitution program on their behalf. HIAS should take this lead with the launch of a database of Jewish assets — for example, property and businesses, using deeds, photos, maps and other information to record what belonged to the Jews.

Naturally many immigrants, including my family, have prioritized the future and forgiven the past, leaving everything behind just to save our lives. But in this moment of global threat against the Jews, we must look at the past both as a guide, and a line of defense to reclaim what is ours and affirm that we will not be taken advantage of. HIAS should pave the path for reparations for these displaced Jews.

HIAS should also assist with preservation of cultural heritage. In partnership with the US State Department, HIAS should expand the scope of Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, an entity that was established by Congress in 1985 to preserve the communal properties — cemeteries, monuments, and other endangered properties of Jews affected by the Holocaust to also serve and preserve the interests of American Jews from Arab countries and Iran. HIAS should lobby Congress to increase appropriations to include Middle East countries in its priorities.

The countries party to the Abraham Accords and other friendly governments can also play a role in serving the interests of Jews exiled from the Middle East. HIAS should collaborate with the Trump administration and not only advocate for future accords, but also engage with existing partners to help reconnect Jews with their ancestral homes in these regions.

4. A More Focused HIAS for a Changing World

While HIAS has always been committed to helping persecuted minorities, including non-Jews, it must now reassess its scope and budget. With new policies in the United States under the Trump administration, and the anticipated federal budget cuts for refugee programs, HIAS must tighten its budget, streamline its operations, and focus its efforts more directly on the Jewish community. This shift does not mean abandoning non-Jews in need; rather, it means scaling back the organization’s work in this area so that it can more effectively serve its core and arguably most vulnerable constituency.

HIAS has an urgent role to play in protecting the Jewish people in this new era. As antisemitism and extremism spread in unexpected places, Jews must have assurances that there are institutions like HIAS ready to provide aid and protection. Now is the time for HIAS to realign with its original mission with urgency, boldness, and an unabashed prioritization of Jewish lives.

* * *

The next CEO of HIAS will inherit an organization at a crossroads. The world is changing, and HIAS must change with it. To summarize, the next CEO will have one job description: to ensure that no Jew, anywhere in the world, is left without a safe haven.