Dear friends,
Every generation has faced its own trials: caring for the poor in Napoleonic Paris, helping orphans after the First World War, rebuilding shattered lives after the Shoah, welcoming families from North Africa who arrived in France with little more than a suitcase in the 1960s. At every moment, one constant made the difference: solidarity that crossed borders and bound communities together.
I have had the privilege, for more than forty years as Chairman of CASIP-COJASOR, to witness this solidarity at work. In the heartbreaking days following the return of the deportees, with the support of CASIP-COJASOR, so many were able – remarkably quickly – to stand back on their feet. I saw it again when Jews from Algeria and Tunisia found refuge in France and went on to strengthen our community, creating a vibrant blend of Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions.
Today, this work continues, and it is my great confidence that it will do so under the leadership of Henri Fiszer, who has served for many years as Vice-Chairman and has all the qualities needed to carry forward the mission begun in 1809.
Our values obligate us. Jewish history teaches us a sacred lesson: Kol Israel arevim zeh bazeh – all Jews are responsible for one another. When a Jew suffers in one place, something in all of us is diminished.
CASIP-COJASOR is more than a refuge for the most vulnerable; it is a living testimony to what sustained, transnational commitment can build over time. As our community grows, its needs grow with it. That is why, even though an ocean separates us, we have created Friends of CASIP-COJASOR in America, in the hope that many will join us in shaping the future of this remarkable institution.
In our tradition, time matters more than place. What we build together endures beyond geography. By becoming Friends of CASIP-COJASOR, you become builders of time, investing in a living legacy that crosses generations. We would be delighted to welcome you in France, to show you the breadth of our work – and perhaps to share a table where French and Jewish traditions meet, for those who have yet to discover the joy of a “Brique à l’œuf”.
Thank you for your support and friendship. Together, we protect dignity, preserve memory, and strengthen the resilience of our people – one generation at a time.
Éric de Rothschild
Honorary President of CASIP-COJASOR
Former President of CASIP-COJASOR