HIAS’ Seventh Annual Refugee Shabbat, which will take place on February 28 – March 1, 2025, is an opportunity to recognize the profound impact of the global Jewish movement working on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people. Taking a moment to celebrate the work being done and to educate and mobilize your local community is essential — especially in this chaotic moment we find ourselves in.

The recent cuts to funding that ended the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program and other international humanitarian efforts have been devastating, dramatic, and targeted — designed to overwhelm us. But they haven’t succeeded. If anything, they’ve shown just how strong our community is.

The path ahead will be long, so it is even more important that we take time to catch our breath, reflect on our accomplishments, and gather our energy for the work that lies ahead. Hineni. We are here — and we are not going anywhere.

How to Participate

Whether you sign up to participate on behalf of your congregation or as an individual hosting an event in a home, there are many options for your Refugee Shabbat. It could be the culmination of a week of action on refugee issues, a moment to simply focus on learning more about the global refugee crisis in a Jewish context, or an opportunity to bring congregations and faith communities together to learn and chart a joint course of action.

Congregations might consider including a liturgical reading on the theme of the refugee crisis in Shabbat services and/or dedicating a sermon or text study to the topic. If you have a relationship with a refugee or refugee professional in your local community, consider inviting that person to speak during services. You might also plan an educational program after Friday evening services or after Saturday morning services.

Upon registration, both individuals and congregations will receive access to HIAS’ library of Refugee Shabbat programming resources, which will include liturgical readings, sermon/d’var Torah talking points, a text study, and a list of ways that people can take action on their own or as a group.

We encourage you to think through which of these options would be the most appealing to you and/or your community. Congregations and organizations may also want to begin identifying possible community partners (e.g., other synagogues, local organizations, etc.) and finding the right space for the program.

*If the February 28 – March 1 dates do not work for you or your community, feel free to register your participation below and choose another date in Winter/Spring 2025 that works with your calendar.

*If you are located in Canada, we will be sharing your registration with our Canadian counterpart JIAS Toronto, who will be a resource for Canadian congregations and will send out resource materials that apply to the Canadian context.

Please contact takeaction@hias.org with any additional questions.

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