COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | REPAIR THE WORLD | SOCIAL ACTION
Refugee Resettlement Team
Welcome the Stranger
Mission
The Resettlement Team helps immigrant and refugee families with housing searches, fundraising, household setup, accessing government services, and integrating families to our communities and with US customs. We have also expanded our focus to immigration advocacy and developing ways to assist other individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States.
Afghan Immigrant Resettlement
As we read the news of the American exodus from Afghanistan, we, as both Jews and Americans, feel compelled to respond to Afghans who are now in great jeopardy as a result of having assisted Americans during the past 20 years. Catholic Charities (one of the nine authorized State Department agencies to engage in resettlement work) and JCRC are reaching out to synagogues and churches, a truly interfaith effort, committed to accepting and sponsoring new families.
We’re preparing to support new families by hosting them in our homes, assisting with finding housing and furnishings, tutoring if necessary, finding employment, enrolling children in school, transporting, locating medical care, and providing financial assistance. Please reach out if you would like to help.
Syrian Refugee Resettlement
Under the guidance of our partner, Jewish Family Services of MetroWest, our team welcomed two Syrian refugee families in 2017, with various committees of volunteers supporting the many aspects required for success. Many of us continue to support the families. We also have started other important initiatives, including working with the First Church in Natick to help a mother and her three children from Guatemala relocate here from Arizona.
Reach Out
Michael Gilman
Deb Gotbetter
Susan Sidel
Jessica Lasser
Ed Shapiro
Donate
Support the New Americans Immigration Fund (be sure to select the fund from the dropdown menu). You can also mail a check payable to Temple Beth Elohim noting in the memo line “New Americans Immigration Fund.”
Upcoming Events
News & Updates
Sponsoring Ukrainian Families
While we have potential TBE member sponsors in the wings who are ready and wanting to welcome Ukrainians, the only restraint is making sure we have the funds to provide successful resettlement.
Uniting for Ukraine
Our congregation heard Rabbi Sisenwine’s “call to action” to respond to the heartbreaking crisis in Ukraine.
It Takes a Village
Our team is preparing for a possible future sponsorship of a family.
Read Boston Globe Coverage
TBE Community Members Offer Continued Assistance to Resettled Syrian Families.
A series of three articles.
Through the closing door, March 2017