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Apr 10, 2015

U.S. Jews highlight plight of African asylum seekers in Israel

This week, the Israeli embassy in Washington will be opening some unusual mail: letters written not on paper, but on matza. Haaretz profiles the #BreadofFreedom campaign, organized by HIAS and T'ruah to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of asylum seekers in Israel.

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Apr 8, 2015

#BreadofFreedom for African Asylum Seekers in Israel

Join HIAS and T'ruah in sending a piece of matzah to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC to let them know that American Jews want Israel to do the right thing for these survivors of violence and terror.

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Apr 7, 2015

The Power of Advocacy

Interning with HIAS this Spring has been eye opening in many ways, but nothing has struck me more than the contrast between the extreme struggles refugees face around the world and the limited response to their plight here at home. In early March, I joined the HIAS Board of Directors for an advocacy training on Capitol Hill followed by meetings with several key Members of Congress.

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Apr 3, 2015

Israel Asylum Seekers Wonder: Next Year in Jerusalem?

Israel Asylum Seekers Wonder: Next Year in Jerusalem? Apr 03, 2015 Passover is all about the persecution of the Jewish people in Egypt, and their flight to freedom across the Sinai. It is sadly ironic that, on the eve of this important holiday of freedom, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior is issuing deportation letters […]

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Mar 31, 2015

Celebrating Liberty and Taking Action for Passover

With over 16 million refugees worldwide—51 million if we include internally displaced persons—and international crises escalating, Passover this year should be a time to remember our history and recommit to protecting those who flee persecution today.

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Mar 26, 2015

Safehouses Offer Protection to Refugees in Dire Jeopardy

Last month, while visiting Nairobi, Kenya to train HIAS local staff on resettling vulnerable refugees, I met “Sylvia”, a refugee living in a HIAS safehouse on the outskirts of the city. For refugees like Sylvia, who have exceptionally serious protection concerns, safehouses provide critical short-term security while they await resettlement—often their only option for long-term safety and freedom from persecution.

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Mar 20, 2015

A Passover Reflection

On Passover, we recall our historic flight from slavery to freedom. Reflecting on our Jewish experience and values we recommit to protecting those who flee persecution today. HIAS is pleased to offer a reading by Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, which you may read at your Seder.

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Feb 6, 2015

A Reprieve for Eritrean Asylum Seeker in Israel

For "Adam”, a 31-year-old asylum seeker in Israel who fled Eritrea after being incarcerated and tortured for leaving military service without permission, life has been filled with uncertainty almost as long as he can remember. HIAS' recently launched pro bono legal aid project helped him begin 2015 with a renewed sense of freedom.

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Feb 3, 2015

A Crash Course on the Syrian Refugee Crisis

A twist of fate (and timing) led to me spending my first week as Policy Counsel for HIAS in Jordan as a member of a delegation from Refugee Council USA. The trip, which was intended as a chance to learn about resettlement for Syrian refugees, became my crash course in the realities of the Syrian refugee crisis.

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Feb 3, 2015

Scholarships Offer Hope to IDPs in Georgia

Three years ago, Natia Kalandia's dream of becoming a psychologist seemed like just that, a dream. She had passed her university entrance exams, but following the death of her father and with her mother unemployed, there was no money to pay for tuition. Today, thanks to a scholarship from HIAS, Natia is back at Tbilisi’s Ilia State University and making progress toward her degree.

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