Refugee Shabbat Resources

As you design your participation in Refugee Shabbat, HIAS would like to take this opportunity to remind you to incorporate safety and security management into your planning process. In this era of heightened antisemitic, anti-immigrant, and Islamophobic violence, it is prudent to reflect on your community’s approach to safety and security. We encourage you to consider which best practices are applicable to your congregation and facilities. Secure Community Network (SCN) is the official homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America working to strengthen safety and security at Jewish institutions around the country. Working in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, SCN has created and curated some useful resources. Several are shared here for your consideration as you prepare for Refugee Shabbat.  

Cybersecurity Resources 

Institutional Security 

Low-Cost Security Measures for Jewish Facilities 

Video Conference Best Practices 

Active Shooter Preparedness 

Mass Gatherings: Take Charge of Your Personal Safety 

HIAS Refugee Shabbat is an opportunity for the Jewish community to communicate our strong, shared support for refugees and asylum seekers. HIAS headquarters will be working to tell the story of the Jewish community’s participation in Refugee Shabbat, and we hope that you will do so too. Below are some examples of ways to highlight your community’s solidarity with forcibly displaced persons and extend the impact of Refugee Shabbat. 

•  Share information about your community’s Refugee Shabbat events with your networks via social media and email. Share posts from HIAS and/or your congregation.  

• Invite local elected officials to attend and/or speak at your programs.  

• Invite local Jewish press to attend your Refugee Shabbat events. 

• Write op-eds about your participation for local news outlets.  

• Write about your participation on social media and/or in your community’s newsletter or bulletin.  

As you plan your Refugee Shabbat, we encourage you to consider giving tzedakah to HIAS individually or as a congregation to support refugees and asylum seekers. Giving to HIAS is a wonderful way to put our Jewish values into action to provide vital services for forcibly displaced persons and advocate for their fundamental rights. 

You might consider asking friends and family to donate money to HIAS to support refugees across the globe in honor of your celebration. You can set up an individual fundraising page on the HIAS website with personalized text, educating your guests about the refugee crisis and talking about why you care about this issue. If you are interested in setting up a donation page, please contact the Development Department at development@hias.org. 

We recognize that HIAS’ supporters observe Shabbat in a multiplicity of ways. We encourage you to choose the activities that work best for you and to use the time leading up to Refugee Shabbat and directly after for any of the activities that resonate but are not in line with your personal Shabbat practice. 

1. Volunteer with refugees in the U.S. – There are countless ways to volunteer with refugees and asylum seekers today. If you are located near one of HIAS’ local resettlement partners, many need individuals to help as skilled volunteers as well as congregations and organizations to assist in welcoming new neighbors to their communities. If you are not near a HIAS partner, there are a network of organizations around the country that you can find on this map who do similar work. 
2. Learn Something – Check out HIAS articles and video archive and share these resources with family and friends.
3. Join the “Jews for Refugees” Facebook Group – Joining this group is a great way to connect with thousands of other committed individuals across the United States and around the world, access up-to-the-minute information about the Jewish response to the refugee crisis and share actions that you are taking. Click here to join. 
4. Shop at Refugee and Immigrant-Owned Businesses – Consider doing a Google search for refugee-owned restaurants and shops in your local area. Check out lists like this one or this one to purchase refugee-made products from around the world.
5. Learn a Language with Refugees – Sign up to learn Arabic, Armenian, French, Kurdish, Persian, or Spanish by employing a refugee as a teacher through NaTakallam. You can even purchase “Gift of Conversation” packages for family and friends eager to learn. Professional translation services also available for individuals and organizations worldwide.
6. Donate Goods – Donate old technology (PCs, printers, tablets or PDAs, mice, sound and video cards, etc.) through PCs for Refugees. Donate new or gently used baby carriers to refugees through Carry the Future. Choose something from the public wish list of a shelter serving asylum seekers. Your local resettlement agency likely has other specific needs. 
7. Support Refugees and Asylum Seekers – In the weeks leading up to Refugee Shabbat, set up a Facebook fundraiser to benefit HIAS’ work. For assistance setting up a personalized fundraiser page, please email development@hias.org. 
8. Donate to a Bond Fund – Consider contributing to a bond fund to assist in releasing immigrants from detention.