Nationwide, Seders included today’s refugees in their retelling of the Exodus story. In addition to using the materials and rituals suggested by HIAS, many synagogues took it one step further, and invited refugees in their area to share in the festivities.
In an op-ed published on Scribe, the Forward’s curated contributor network, Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer challenges the community “to commit to have at least one conversation with a family member, co-worker or friend on behalf of today’s refugees.”
As part of the ongoing Jewish response to the global refugee crisis, HIAS created new visual resources for congregations and families to print and hang in their sukkahs. The visuals provided an educational component to the familiar sukkot tradition, a reminder that today, 65 million refugees and displaced people still wander the earth in search of a safe place to call home.
In recognition of the more than 65 million refugees and displaced people still wandering the earth in search of a safe place to call home, synagogues and families are “inviting” five individuals into their sukkah this year as they recreate the huts in which our Israelite ancestors found refuge.
Who is this woman who joins the Jewish people, this woman whose story plays a central role in our Shavuot celebrations? Before Ruth joins the Israelite people and converts, she is a stranger.
This passover, Jews across the country used HIAS materials to make refugees a part of their seder, starting conversations with family and friends about one of the biggest issues of our time.
Today there are 60 million people who have left everything they know behind, and fled in search of safety. Every day, an additional 40,000 flee their own Pharoahs — from Syria, Honduras, Afghanistan, Sudan, Colombia, Myanmar, Somalia, Ukraine; the list goes on and on.
This Passover, HIAS is partnering with Repair the World on a campaign to build awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire action among Jewish young adults. Together, we have created substantive resources designed to help young people launch meaningful discussion about the global refugee crisis within a Jewish framework during a Seder or Shabbat dinner.
Who was it that saved the Jews from what seemed like their certain demise? No, it was not an army of valiant men who set off to do battle with Haman, as in many of our other sacred stories. Rather, it was a crafty queen with an ingenious plan who saved the Jews. Queen Esther was her name.
