Temple Emanu-El helps refugees resettle

“When a stranger resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The stranger residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were strangers in Egypt.” Leviticus 19:33-34

Imagine that your country has been engulfed by war. Bombs are dropping daily and you can neither trust the government nor the majority of forces fighting for control of your country. The economy has collapsed, famine abounds and you have been displaced and have lost relatives. What would you do?

Millions around the world live that experience every day. Hoping to find a better life for their families, many try to leave for a safe country. As an example, consider refugees from Syria who have few options.

Trying to get to a better place, they pack what little they can carry and make their way to the border. Some end up in North Africa making the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea in an overcrowded, unsafe boat. Others end up in refugee camps in Jordan or Turkey hoping to get visas to safe countries.

A visa to come to America has required a vetting process that can last up to two-and-a-half years. Now, with government plans to reduce immigration numbers and ban emigration from six nations altogether, no one knows what is going to happen to these people. Will they be allowed to immigrate to America? Will those who are already here be forced to leave?

In light of all this uncertainty and because Jews know what it is to be strangers in a strange land, the Social Justice Committee at Temple Emanu-El decided to find out what the congregation at large was willing to do to help refugees who had made their way to Rhode Island.

The first step was to educate the congregation about the issue. During the winter, a Shabbat Lunch and Learn was arranged. Board members of AHope came to the Shabbat service to educate the congregation. AHope is a volunteer organization assisting new Syrian (as well as other) refugees coming to Rhode Island. It is dedicated to helping families integrate into American society and to helping develop prosperous Rhode Island communities. The most moving highlight of the Lunch and Learn was meeting a recently arrived family, and hearing their harrowing story.

It became clear that many members of the congregation wanted to help these families. A survey was sent to the congregation to determine what members would be able to do. The response, and desire to help, was overwhelming. Based on community input the Social Justice Committee crafted a three-pronged action plan. 

First, a three-month fundraising drive was conducted that resulted in a significant contribution to AHope. This donation is being used to support recently arrived families. Second, a materials donation drive was organized, culminating in a “drop off” day in late spring. Over the course of the day, Temple members brought hundreds of pounds of clothing, linens, toiletries and school supplies that were distributed to refugee families. And finally, for congregants able to give their time, opportunities to volunteer directly with refugee families were offered. As of this writing a number of Temple Emanu-El families are working with refugee families.

Members of Temple Emanu-El’s Social Justice Committee said they are overjoyed by the community’s response and look forward to continuing to put Jewish values into action to make Rhode Island a better place for everyone.

LEV POPLOW is a communications and development consultant. He can be reached at levpoplow@gmail.com.