Nov 24 2014

NEW YORK—The Institute of Noahide Code, a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations, hosted an event at 777 UN Plaza on Monday called “One People, One World.” The organization was conceived as an opportunity to unite the world by re-affirming the belief in the One G-d as the Creator of all human beings and the belief that we are all created in the Divine Image. The event, led by Rabbi Yakov D. Cohen, gathered people hailing from six different countries (Belgium, Canada, China, Israel, Moldova and the United States) and from all walks of life: rabbis, diplomats, students, business people, journalists and former soldiers. All attended with a commitment to securing world peace according to the Seven Laws of Noah.

Among those present were the Canadian Mission’s Counsellor for Political Affairs for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Asia, Ms. Caterina Ventura as well as Moldova’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Vlad Lupan. Canada, a founding member of the United Nations and Moldova, a newly independent country, have vastly differing histories and cultures but the presence of dignitaries from both states demonstrated the universal appeal of the Noahide Code, regardless of divisions of nationality, class or creed. As Ambassador Lupan reflected: “whenever we think of a decision, we think through the right or wrong decision, right or wrong decision for my country and right or wrong decision for all the countries in the world.”

Also in attendance was a delegation from the Druze Community of Israel. This included Mr. Koftan Halabi, the founder and Executive Director of the Druze Veterans Association, an organization that advocates on behalf of many non-Jewish members of the Israel Defense Force as well as Israel’s former military attaché to Brazil, Colonel (Res.) Moneeb Bader, and Mr. Nadeem Ammar, former Mayor of Julis Nadeem Ammar, both of whom are board members of the DVA.  Rabbi Cohen praised the Druze representatives as an exemplar of different nations working hand-in-hand to protect one another: “These are non-Jewish people, protecting the Land of Israel—which is protecting everyone, both Jews and non-Jews.”

Pursuant to the same theme, Mr. Phil Nussbaum, Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg International Movement for Humanity also placed emphasis on cooperation among the nations. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swede, saved over 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust. Despite not sharing their nationality or religion, one man—Mr. Wallenberg rescued members of the Jewish people from certain destruction. Though Wallenberg has been missing since the close of the Second World War, the Raoul Wallenberg International Movement for Humanity continues to promote the values exemplified by this humanitarian action.

Throughout the event, the Institute of Noahide Code made available print materials in several languages including Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin. The program itself was conducted in English, French and Hebrew. Ultimately, the key to peace is in seeing internally what unites us. The Institute of Noahide Code remains dedicated to promoting world peace through the universal Seven Laws of Noah, committed to crossing linguistic and national boundaries in order to truly realize the goal of “One People, One World.” As stated on the Isaiah Wall facing the United Nations Headquarters: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

You can learn more about the Institute of Noahide Code at www.Noahide.org and view video recordings of this and other events, programs and lectures atwww.youtube.com/channel/UCqLMfZw-nDl3zpMPDicTp0Q.