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Dec 11, 2015

Reminding Ourselves That Light Can Overcome Darkness

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.

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Dec 10, 2015

Hanukkah Lights up the White House

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.

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Dec 9, 2015

Listen to Rabbi Jennie Rosenn on WNYC’s The Takeaway

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.

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Dec 8, 2015

East Bay Event Lets Californians Learn About—and From—Refugees

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.

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Dec 3, 2015

In the News: #1000Rabbis Urge U.S. to Welcome Refugees

“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.

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Nov 30, 2015

Women on the Run in Central America

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.

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Nov 24, 2015

Designing a Crash Course for New Americans

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?

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Nov 24, 2015

LISTEN: HIAS Briefing Call on Backlash Against U.S. Refugee Program

Listen to the complete audio of Nov 23 HIAS briefing call on the recent backlash against refugees in the U.S., the legislation in Congress and the statements by governors who are refusing entry to refugees. Also covered: how the refugee admissions program works, the security screenings that are a hallmark of the process, and the role organizations like HIAS play in refugee resettlement.

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Nov 23, 2015

In Annapolis, Calls For Maryland to Keep Welcoming Syrians

When Governor Hogan announced that he didn’t want any more Syrian refugees resettled in Maryland, it got the attention of many Syrian-Americans who call the state home. HIAS, the Anti-Defamation League and others held a press conference in front of the State Capitol in Annapolis on Monday in support of continuing to welcome Syrian refugees into the state.

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Nov 22, 2015

Opinion: Taking in Refugees is Our Moral Duty

Over 2,000 years ago, someone challenged the Jewish sage Hillel to recite the entire Torah standing on one foot. Hillel did so, saying: “What is hateful to you, do not do to any other person. That is the entire Torah. All the rest is commentary. Were Hillel’s lesson universally applied today, there would be no refugees, writes HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield.

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