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Witnessing tragedy from afar can become painfully boring with the passage of time.

But even though February marked the fifth anniversary of the Darfur genocide, as Jews we should care about it as much this year as any other. We should use the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay, which passes through San Francisco on Wednesday, April 9, as an opportunity to be heard on this issue.

Darfur is a first among genocides: the first of the 21st century, the first recognized by the U.S. government as genocide during the perpetration, the first viewable in progress on the Internet and the first with an international grassroots movement seeking to end it.

Sadly, the Darfur genocide has in common with all of the genocides of the 20th century the failure of the world community to save its intended victims as soon as possible.

Our earliest Jewish texts mandate that each of us continue, and even reinvigorate, our efforts to end these atrocities that diminish all of our humanity. Pirkei Avot gave our people the founding principles of the Mishnah, including the instruction that “you are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

None of us alone can end the Darfur genocide, or the many other ongoing crimes against humanity, but as Jews we have learned we do not have the option to take no action. Indeed, we have an obligation to live up to the pledge “Never Again” before it becomes an even more hollow phrase.

Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was one of the first to advocate against the genocide in Darfur. In 2006 he identified it as “humankind’s center of suffering today.” He stated, “Who is guilty? Those who commit these crimes. But to the question, ‘Who is responsible?’ we are compelled to say: ‘Aren’t we all?'”

The late Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever to serve in Congress, was an outspoken leader on behalf of the people of Darfur and Sudan. He managed the legislation on the floor in 2004 designating the situation in Darfur genocide. He sponsored additional legislation, held hearings, wrote articles, participated in protests and took numerous actions to urge the world to end the Darfur genocide. At the age of 79, he was led away in handcuffs after his arrest for refusing to leave the entrance of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., during a protest.

Each of us has the obligation to join these and many other Jewish leaders in taking on the work. But why China? Why the Olympic torch?

Whereas all nations share responsibility to end the Darfur genocide, China, the host of the next Olympics, has a unique ability to influence the government of Sudan.

Its leverage stems from its multifaceted economic, military and diplomatic relationship with Sudan. China is Sudan’s largest trade partner, major weapons provider and consistent defender in the United Nations. And, as host of the Olympics and current custodian of the universal values the Olympics represent, such as equality, dignity, peace and cooperation, China has a duty to take actions worldwide consistent with those values.

Darfur activists from all over the country will line strategic portions of the Olympic torch relay route asking China to take specific actions to extinguish the flames of genocide in Darfur.

We will be peaceful and respectful of the Olympics, the athletes, the torchbearers and the relay. We do not oppose the relay or advocate a boycott of the Olympics. China is showcasing itself, and we have a unique opportunity to convey our message in person to the government of China at potentially the most important event for Darfur in the United States during 2008. The greater the turnout, the more powerful the message and the greater the likelihood of meaningful effect.

Some bemoan the inconvenience of activism on a weekday. Compare taking a few hours from work or other endeavors to the increasing hopelessness of more than 2.5 million Darfuris in refugee camps still awaiting multinational peacekeepers more than 20 months since the first U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing such a force.

Consider that the Sudan government has continued to bomb Darfuri towns this year after signing the U.N. “status of forces” agreement. Then sign up at www.darfursf.org to advocate for the people of Darfur on April 9 and get updates about any last-minute changes in the times and locations of the relay.

Unfortunately, peace will not come to Sudan immediately after the Olympic torch relay. A large variety of volunteer and advocacy opportunities will remain after the torch moves on. Yes, opportunities. Leviticus 19:16 instructs, “Thou shalt not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.”

You can take the opportunity to fulfill this moral imperative of the Torah, no matter how busy your life may be.

Martina Knee is on the executive committee of the San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition. Find your opportunity at

www.darfursf.org.