From London to Los Angeles, Refugee Shabbat Inspires Hope and Action

In its eighth year, HIAS’ Refugee Shabbat is a powerful demonstration of the Jewish community’s support for and solidarity with refugees. That message is more important than ever as rising xenophobia threatens to undo decades of work to welcome refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants into our communities. For many, Refugee Shabbat is just one indicator of the work happening behind the scenes all year long to help refugees and immigrants, an annual reminder that welcome is central to Jewish values.

“At a time when governments have slammed doors shut in the face of people seeking protection and safety, Refugee Shabbat feels particularly powerful and poignant,” said Isabel Burton, HIAS’ Senior Director for Community Engagement. “Refugee Shabbat gives us an opportunity to celebrate the inspiring actions of Jewish communities around the world, who are stepping up to respond in real time to these new realities. Together, we honor that work, support each other, and stand with refugees who simply seek sanctuary and a fresh start.”

This year’s eighth annual Refugee Shabbat took place on March 13-14, 2026, with 300 Jewish communities and 144 individuals participating from around the world, including the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Communities celebrated with a variety of events, from art exhibitions to film screenings to traditional services on Friday night and Saturday morning. No matter the event, people across the world showed up to support refugees and learn how they can advocate on their behalf in this difficult moment.

In the United States, the Trump administration’s attacks on refugees and immigrants over the last year have been devastating. But while U.S. immigration policies have changed, the hearts and minds of Americans have not. If anything, this year has shown the strength of communities across the country in rejecting fear of the other.

In Los Angeles, one of HIAS’ longtime partners, Temple Israel of Hollywood, hosted a Refugee Shabbat service and program to honor the Jewish value of welcome, led by Rabbi Lara Regev. The service celebrated the work of those most dedicated to welcoming newcomers. HIAS’ CEO Beth Oppenheim and HIAS’ Rabbi-in-Residence Sarah Bassin also spoke about the current landscape of refugee resettlement, and how HIAS can support community members in taking action.

“I was honored to share words of Torah to ground ourselves through an era of moral disorientation in which our values are challenged daily,” said Rabbi Sarah.

Spotlight on Refugee Shabbat in the UK

As division grows in the United Kingdom over immigration, an inspiring countermovement led by HIAS+JCORE, is fighting back. This year, a record 66 communities participated in Refugee Shabbat, more than double from 2025.

“It is truly remarkable to have this many communities taking part in Refugee Shabbat this year,” said Yael Peleg, HIAS+JCORE’s Community Engagement Director. “There is so much inspiring work being done across the Jewish community to welcome refugees, and Refugee Shabbat 2026 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate it.”

Events included an architecture tour of buildings designed by refugee and immigrant architects in central London, a tour of Jewish refugees and immigrants buried at the historic Willesden Jewish Cemetery, and many discussions at synagogues across the country. Thousands of British Jews showed up to dozens of events to engage with issues affecting refugees and immigrants.

“There is so much misinformation and a lack of compassion when it comes to refugees,” said Libi Sears, a refugee supporter and consultant with Our Second Home, a HIAS+JCORE partner. “Discussions around refugees and asylum seekers often lack nuance and kindness. Empathy and humanity should be at the forefront of any discussion about refugees.”

Libi was one of 20 supporters who attended a cooking event hosted by HIAS partner OLAM last week, one of the first events to kick off Refugee Shabbat across the UK. Charity, a former Nigerian refugee, taught attendees how to prepare a traditional meal with a vegan twist. Supporters also learned about HIAS and HIAS+JCORE’s work and how they could help refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people in the UK.

“We should never stop talking about refugees,” Libi said. “They will never stop coming and it is our responsibility as humans to provide compassion and accommodation.”

On Thursday, more than 50 supporters from the Jewish community and refugee sector joined HIAS+JCORE in London to launch Refugee Shabbat. The audience heard from leaders working to support refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people, including Progressive Judaism co-CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky.

“Jewish responsibility does not stop at our own community’s security,” Rabbi Charley said. “It also extends to the kind of society we help shape. One where the rule of law protects the vulnerable. One where refugees are not reduced to political symbols. One where faith communities work together to build something better.”

Rabbi Charley was one of dozens of community members to attend Finchley Progressive Synagogue’s (FPS) Refugee Shabbat services on Saturday morning. Former refugees from Syria, Ukraine, and Iran spoke during the service, emphasizing the facts about refugee resettlement and the asylum system in the UK.

Before the service, more than a dozen synagogue members also joined a discussion between Lesley Urbach, a child of a Jewish refugee from Germany, and Bahaa and Alaa Alibrahim, brothers and former Syrian refugees who were supported by FPS when they first arrived in London.

“Immigrants contribute to this country,” Lesley said. “Immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers can help develop this country, when given the opportunity.”

Bahaa added: “Not everyone knows how hard we work. Everyone who flees for their life has suffered and needs time to recover. Refugees are very important in running this country.”

Now in its eighth year, it’s clear Refugee Shabbat is more important than ever in inspiring Jews across the world to assist displaced people wherever they are.

“There is no doubt that we’re living in a difficult period,” said Rabbi David Mason, HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director. “But this Refugee Shabbat is a message of hope and a loud statement from the Jewish community that we are with refugees. Together, our values of compassion and solidarity are so much stronger than hate and division.”