Jewish history in the 20th century is one of unprecedented destruction followed by rebuilding -- reflected in the Holocaust and the rebirth of Israel. The emotions, the memories, the struggles that surround such powerful, historical events are at the center of Jewish life.

The Jewish community of Argentina has been going through its own such struggle for the past year. On July 18th, it will be one year since a car bomb ripped through the AMIA building in Buenos Aires, striking at the heart of Jewish life in Argentina. Ninety-six people were killed and scores more wounded. Century-old records of the community were destroyed. Today, on the very spot of the carnage, there is rebirth. Cranes and jacksaws are at work clearing the rubble and engaging in the process of rebuilding the center of Argentinean Jewish community life. The determination to overcome the pain of the past year and to challenge the hatred directly by rebuilding on the same location is remarkable.

During this past year of mourning, Jews have yet again mobilized their communal strength to fight back in the face of tragedy. First, from all over the world, they have come forth to demonstrate the sense of oneness of the Jewish people. Immediately after the blast, they lent emotional, political and financial support to the Argentinean community. The State of Israel sent experts to help rescue survivors buried under the rubble. Synagogues and organizations held memorial services and meetings the world over. In the months since the bombing, there have been continued demonstrations of solidarity with the Jews of Argentina, and several American Jewish delegations have visited Buenos Aires. During our own ADL mission to Argentina in April, we strengthened our ties with the Jewish community and pledged to work together on issues of mutual concern.

Second, there has been an aggressive search for justice -- a critical element in retaining hope for the future. In a recent letter to ADL, the leadership of the DAIA, the political arm of Argentinean Jewry, expressed the need for justice most effectively: "Nothing will ever return to life the deceased, but justice will certainly help the wounds. When we are asked if we are optimistic or pessimistic about the results of the investigation, our reply is always the same: we are obstinate, we shall not rest until the culprits, their backers and supporters are denounced and brought to justice. This is our moral duty towards our dead, their families and ourselves." We in the American Jewish community have pressed the Argentinean government to do more to find the criminals who bombed the building and to insure that future terrorism is prevented. To date, the perpetrators have not been found, and while the Argentineans have taken certain steps to improve anti-terrorist capability, it is still disturbing that more has not been accomplished to solve the case. Searching for justice remains critical to rebirth and we in the American Jewish community must recommit ourselves to help Argentinean Jews find justice.

And then there is memory. All of us understand that to remember is not only to pay respect to those martyrs who have fallen, but also to give ourselves the strength and purpose to go on. Memory is a particularly powerful ingredient in this instance because by destroying the records of Jewish life in Argentina, the terrorists struck a devastating blow to the collective memory of Argentinean Jewry. Our commitment to remember must be reasserted. On July 18th a community service at the ADL will commemorate the horror of one year ago.

Fourth, we have pursued political action to remedy specific wrongs and to provide psychological reassurance that such evil can be combatted. It is heartening that the leaders of the country have made a major effort to protect Jewish institutions but we must insure as time passes this protection does not fade.

Furthermore, here in the United States, the anti-terrorism legislation strongly supported by the Jewish community is on the way towards passage. This legislation should encourage other nations to act more forcefully, particularly regarding the menace of Islamic extremist terrorism. We recognize the need to balance the fight against terrorism with the protection of civil liberties -- both are critical to Jewish security. In a country like Argentina, with its unfortunate history of dictatorship and violence, concerns about civil liberties must be especially strong. Still, there are ways to create strong anti-terrorism legislation without jeopardizing freedom, and we must continue to urge such action in Argentina.

At a time when world Jewry is struggling with the issues surrounding the Middle East peace process, one hears much about what divides us. The tragedy of last July 18th should be a reminder that we are one people. When the terrorists attacked the AMIA building, they didn't ask whether the Jews inside were left or right, religious or non-religious. As our enemies have historically done, they attacked Jews. At this time the best tribute we can pay to our fallen brothers and sisters in Buenos Aires is to recommit ourselves to the fundamental unity of our people and to recognize that we can overcome the tragedies and evils if we stand together.

David H. Strassler is National Chairman and Abraham H. Foxman is National Director of the Anti-Defamation League.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.