HIAS Israel and its network of attorneys are working toward meaningful change in how the country treats the refugees within its borders, making asylum more accessible to those in need of protection.
After escaping persecution in Eritrea, Asmait made her way to Israel, where she became a custodian in a neighborhood school. Despite her hard work, the students teased her ruthlessly. Their attitudes changed only after a teacher asked Asmait to share her story with them. “It felt strengthening,” explained Asmait. “I knew then that the reason people are not happy to see us is just because they do not know our story.”
On June 20, 2016, World Refugee Day celebrations around the world honored the bravery and perseverance of the millions of men, women and children who are refugees today—and also provided an opportunity for refugees themselves to have a bit of fun.
Winners of the HIAS Israel Scholarship for Student Olim are Jews from all across the globe who have chosen to make their home in Israel. “Many of them come to Israel alone, leaving behind family in other countries. They don’t have the natural support network that most students have. What makes this award special is that while it helps them financially, it also gives them that feeling that we are their support. We become their network.”
HIAS Israel Director Sivan Carmel urges lawyers to consider the benefits of pro-bono work with refugees and asylum seekers. "If you join our program you will probably not change the world, but you can make a real difference in the life of one person, of one family."
Gebre* thought that fleeing the chaos in Eritrea would keep his family safe. That hope was shattered in July of 2012, when a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the Jerusalem apartment Gebre's daughter (seven months pregnant at the time) and son-in-law share. The two were badly injured and extremely traumatized. The attack was just one in a string of xenophobic attacks against African migrants in Israel.
J. Weekly: Troubled Road Ahead for Israel’s African Migrants Aug 28, 2015 In an August 27 story on Israel's release of 1,200 african migrants from the Holot detention center, J. Weekly cites concerns raised jointly by HIAS and the Reform movement, who issued a statement earlier this month calling on the Israeli government to re-examine its asylum […]
Reform Movement 'Deeply Concerned' about Israel's African Asylum Policy By HIAS.org Aug 17, 2015 "The Reform movement and Jewish refugee agency HIAS called on the Israeli government to re-examine its asylum policy for African migrants," The Forward wrote in an August 14 article. The story quotes Mark Hetfield, president and CEO of HIAS, saying, in part: “We are […]
URJ, HIAS & IMPJ Call on Israel to Recognize Refugees Aug 14, 2015 Reform Movement and HIAS Urge Israel to Do More to Protect Asylum Seekers NEW YORK — The Union for Reform Judaism, the North American Reform Jewish movement, the largest movement in Jewish life today and HIAS, the 130 year old global refugee agency of […]
URJ, HIAS & IMPJ Call on Israel to Recognize Refugees Aug 14, 2015 Reform Movement and HIAS Urge Israel to Do More to Protect Asylum Seekers NEW YORK — The Union for Reform Judaism, the North American Reform Jewish movement, the largest movement in Jewish life today and HIAS, the 130 year old global refugee agency of […]
