Immigrant Justice Action Team

The Immigrant Justice Action Team (IJAT) participates in actions and advocacy to live the Jewish value of “welcoming the stranger,” a commandment mentioned 36 times in the Torah.  Our IJAT team partners with and champions the work of many organizations, including HIAS, Jewish Family Service (JFS) and the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest (JCIJ-NW).

Want to get involved?

Email TBAImmigrantJustice@gmail.com to join the Immigrant Justice Action Team, receive our emails, and find out how you can get involved.

Take Action for Afghan Allies

After setting up two apartments for Afghan newcomers in early 2022, Temple Beth Am continues to support the efforts of Jewish Family Service and the International Rescue Committee to resettle immigrant families and provide mentoring and tutoring. For more information or to volunteer, contact Nickie Faghin. You can also make a donation to the Temple Beth Am Immigrant Justice Fund to support our ongoing efforts to assist refugees and asylum seekers.

If you’re interested in delivering halal grocery boxes to Afghan newcomers, a joint program of Jewish Family Service, and the Muslim Community Resource Center, contact lsugiura@jfsseattle.org.

If you love knitting or crocheting and want to create a colorful throw for a family arriving in the U.S., contact TBAImmigrantJustice@gmail.com about our efforts.

Ukraine: How You Can Help

• Support the crisis response of HIAS (formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
• Give to the emergency fundraising efforts of the American Joint Distribution Committee
• Make a gift to Jewish Family Service and in the tribute line, note “Ukraine Crisis.”
• Donate to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund opened by the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

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.

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