TBE members and friends gathered at a filled-to-capacity Shabbat dinner on February 2 to celebrate the eight Syrian refugee families sponsored by Jewish Family Services of Metro West and to learn from the last United States Ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford. Two of the eight families are supported by the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Team here at Temple Beth Elohim.

Deb Gotbetter who has led our many involved and committed family volunteers, noted how the families, in the United States now between 12 and 16 months, have made great advances in English language acquisition, employment and schooling. She poignantly expressed how we, as a community, are deeply enriched by this experience and how we are all better for having these connections.

At dinner, Ambassador Ford expressed his affection for the Syrian people and recounted a story about how he had been warmly embraced by a hospitable family when, at age 23, he was traveling in Damascus and unable to find a hotel vacancy late at night. Ambassador Ford is the recipient of several State Department awards and has been stationed in Egypt and Algiers among several other locations during his career in the state department.

Following Shabbat services, Ambassador Ford described the current and complicated geopolitical situation in Syria. He spoke about the loss of territorial control by ISIS, the US mission creep, the complicated alliances, and the strength of Russian and Iranian support for the Assad regime which poses significant threats to both the United States and to Israel. According to Ford, of the 5.5 million refugees, only 550,000 have returned. Much of the country has been destroyed by the fierce fighting and bombing.

The Syrian Refugee Resettlement Team is grateful to learn from the ambassador and to have enormous support from many generous congregants and others who have helped provide safety for the families.