Stateless 10th Anniversary Celebration

Please join us in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Stateless!

Ten years has allowed for a new generation to come of age and appreciate this recent history and plight of their parents and grandparents. We are eager to introduce and re-introduce this unique story in such a significant space at such a significant moment in time.

This event will feature:

• A screening of "Stateless," followed by a thought-provoking Q&A with the film director Michael Drob, former CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) David Harris, president of HIAS Mark Hetfield and other notable guests.
• Engaging discussions and insights into the making of the film, the historical context, and its relevance today.
• A cocktail reception further connecting our fellow attendees, special guests, and the community.

About the Film

As 20th century drew to a close Soviet Jews were once again given permission to leave the USSR. Much like their predecessors of 1960s and 1970s, requesting to leave meant social and political suicide, and leaving the country meant the forfeit of citizenship and all personal property. Unlike their predecessors, those coming to the US were now burdened with having to prove “reasonable fear of persecution,” a concept not understandable to those born into a climate of persistent maltreatment. Because of this, thousands had their applications for refugee status denied - leaving them in Italy. Stateless.

This film guides us through this experience as recalled by refugees themselves and expert testimony of representatives from HIAS, JOINT, NYANA and other organizations. We are lead through the immigration process, the critical trip through the Vienna-Rome pipeline, the crushing weight of the denials, and the changes to the United States policy that would ultimately change the very process itself.

This project was made possible through a grant by the BluePrint Fellowship project of COJECO, funded by the UJA-Federation of New York and Genesis Philanthropy Group.