Before September 2, refugees were one more important issue on a long list of social ills, but after that day, there was a great outpouring of Jewish interest and communal support for refugees. Congregations, individuals, schools, organizations -- everyone wanted to know how they could help, and especially how they could support the resettlement of Syrian refugees in their communities.
Because, as President Obama said, “Hanukkah is a chance for us to remember not only ancient miracles, but modern-day miracles” he invited Manny Lindenbaum, who escaped Poland just days before the Nazis arrived, to light the candles at the annual White House Hanukkah celebration, along with his granddaughter Lauren.
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, vice president for community engagement at HIAS, appeared on The Takeaway with John Hockenberry to discuss the surge in nationalist and anti-Muslim rhetoric in the wake of the Paris and San Bernardino attacks.
Randa Alsafi, who is now a case manager for JFCS East Bay, came to the United States as an immigrant from Syria in 2003. “I am proud to serve newly arrived refugees, helping people from traumatic situations be able to live in a safer place,” Alsafi said.
“More than 1,000 rabbis in the United States signed onto a letter urging elected officials in the country to ‘exercise moral leadership for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program’,” as The Washington Post reports today.
A new report released by UNHCR calls attention to the growing plight of women in Central America and the forces that are causing them to flee from their home countries in ever increasing numbers.
Imagine greeting a family at the airport who have just escaped persecution in their native land. You are the first person they interact with in this country. What would you need to teach them right away in order to facilitate a smooth adjustment process?
Imagine greeting a family at the airport who have just escaped persecution in their native land. You are the first person they interact with in this country. What would you need to teach them right away in order to facilitate a smooth adjustment process?
Imagine greeting a family at the airport who have just escaped persecution in their native land. You are the first person they interact with in this country. What would you need to teach them right away in order to facilitate a smooth adjustment process?
Give Now
Help HIAS provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world
