SWC Statement on Release of Alan Gross From Prison in Cuba

There is no greater mitzvah (good deed) than Pidyon Shivuyim, freeing a captive. On this first day of Chanukah, the Simon Wiesenthal Center expresses its gratitude to President Obama and his administration for securing therelease of Alan Gross.

SWC Associate Dean, Rabbi Abraham Cooper was in Cuba two years ago where he met with Cuban officials to urge for Mr. GRoss' release.

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The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in theUnited States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).