Immigrant Justice Action Team

Welcoming immigrants and refugees is embedded deep in the core of our Temple’s history and Jewish tradition. It is a commandment mentioned 36 times in the Torah. Email TBA.ImmJustice@gmail.com to join the Immigrant Justice Action Team, receive our emails, and find out how you can get involved.

RESETTLING A FAMILY FLEEING FROM UKRAINE

Update from Mona Rowe, on behalf of Temple Beth Am’s Welcome Circle

Temple Beth Am (TBA) and its Immigrant Justice Action Team (IJAT) helped a Ukrainian family settle successfully in the Seattle area. Starting in 2022, we applied to a special federal program called Uniting For Ukraine, received advice and inspiration from HIAS, and raised a generous amount to support the family for at least six months.

A group of TBA volunteers, which became known as the “Welcome Circle,” found a legal sponsor for the family; arranged flights to the US; found and furnished an apartment; linked them to social services, medical care and transportation; helped settle their children in school; helped them learn English; and supported the father in finding employment.

Through good stewardship and the family’s hard work, the funds have continued to provide a way for the family to obtain a used car, switch apartments, and move to a community with better schools. To help make ends meet, the father works two jobs; the mother volunteers in the community and does photography; and the two children have made friends, become fluent in English, and attend special classes to propel their studies in all subjects. The family loves exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Some TBA Welcome Circle members stay in touch with the family, providing advice on issues as they arise, and including them in family activities to provide “a home away from home.” The Ukrainian family feels blessed to have been matched with Temple Beth Am and our caring community.

GET INVOLVED LOCALLY WITH J.C.I.J.

The Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW (JCIJ) is now incorporated as a nonprofit, and it has both a Facebook page, and a website. JCIJ has several ways for you to get involved with supporting immigrants in our local community, including those needing urgent assistance at Riverton Park church in Tukwila. To learn more and contact JCIJ, click on these links:

• Accompaniment
• Advocacy
• Community Engagement

AIDNW NEEDS OUR HELP

AIDNW assists immigrants as they are released from detention at Tacoma’s Northwest ICE Processing Center (formerly called the Northwest Detention Center). After spending days, weeks, or months in detention, the newcomers are greeted by AIDNW volunteers who provide them with backpacks and seasonally appropriate clothing and help arrange transportation to their next destinations. This year, Beth Am partnered with the sisterhood of Temple Beth El in Tacoma to provide sack lunches for travelers. Click here to learn about volunteering with AIDNW.

 LEARN ABOUT U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICIES

• Find out the differences between refugees and asylum seekers by clicking here or here.
• Watch a free webinar on “Immigration for Beginners” or “Asylum for Beginners,” produced by Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, a local nonprofit advocacy group.
• Join the efforts of HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit.
• See what the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center is doing to support immigrants.

B-MITZVAH PROJECT IDEAS RELATED TO IMMIGRATION

There are several ways to consider shaping a bar/bat mitzvah project that will allow you to bring awareness to the global refugee crisis and act in support of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Click here for HIAS b-mitzvah project suggestions.

TEMPLE BETH AM 2017 RESOLUTION FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

With our Board of Directors’ action in 2017, Temple Beth Am joined a growing cohort of Reform congregations that signed the Religious Action Center’s Brit Olam (Covenant with our World) and declared themselves to be Immigrant Justice Congregations. Read the Board’s Resolution on becoming an Immigrant Justice Congregation here.