As Jewish communities around the world prepare to celebrate Purim, there are
many opportunities to #BeEsther and stand up to anti-refugee sentiment, bigotry,
and fear.Dear John,

As Jewish communities around the world prepare to celebrate Purim, there are
many opportunities to #BeEsther [[link removed]] and stand up to anti-refugee sentiment, bigotry, and fear.

Show your support for refugees and asylum seekers. Join us on Capitol Hill as the House of Representatives votes on the No Ban Act
or in celebrating National Refugee Shabbat on March 20-21, 2020
[[link removed]] .

There has never been a more critical time to take a stand on behalf of those who
are persecuted today -- the world’s 70 million refugees and other displaced
people.

Scroll down to find many ways to learn more and advocate for refugees and asylum
seekers.

Thank you,

Chelsey Berlin,
Community Engagement Director for Greater Washington, DC


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HIAS Action DC Attends: "Incoming" at National Gallery of Art
[[link removed]]
Sunday, March 8 | 1:50 PM – 4 PM | National Gallery of Art East Building

Join HIAS Action DC, a 20s and 30s network, to learn more about the current
global refugee crises by attending Richard Mosse’s immersive video installation,
“Incoming”, at the National Gallery of Art. Following the video, partake in a
guided discussion with NGA staff regarding the installation’s themes of global
migration and human displacement. For planning purposes, please register for
this free event through Eventbrite
[[link removed]] .


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The People’s Fair for Social Justice
[[link removed]]
Sunday, March 8 | 7:00 - 9:30 PM | Temple Emanuel, 10101 Connecticut Ave,
Kensington, MD

Am Kolel presents a pre-Purim event in honor of Esther’s Heroism: The People’s
Fair for Social Justice. Join HIAS and many other sponsoring organizations at
the fair and enjoy performances by the DC Labor Chorus and music by Reb David +
Klezmer friends. Tickets to this event can be purchased through Eventbrite
[[link removed]] . Proceeds from the Fair will be divided up among the sponsoring organizations.


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The No Ban Act is going to a vote!
[[link removed]]

The No Ban Act is likely going to a floor vote in the House of Representatives
the week of March 9, 2020. The bill would repeal all versions of the Muslim Ban,
refugee ban, and asylum ban. Join Muslim Advocates, HIAS, and many other
organization that are on standby to pack the room on the day of the vote, to
ensure that members of Congress know we want to pass the bill and #RepealTheBan.
Follow this event page [[link removed]] for updates on when the hearing will be held.


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HIAS Letter Writing
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Tuesday, March 10 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Downtown DC

Join this monthly program to write letters offering compassion and solidarity to
asylum seekers in detention, helping them access hope and connection.


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Press Conference and Rally to Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Refugee Act
of 1980 [[link removed]]
Tuesday, March 17 | 11:30 am | Capitol Hill

Save the Date! Join HIAS and many other organizations in celebrating the 40th
Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980. We will honor the success and resilience
of refugees and asylees in the United States and address how the current
administration is violating the spirit of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
For more details including the final location, follow this Facebook event [[link removed]] .


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National Refugee Shabbat: Book Club
utm_campaign=6db82a4568-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_14_02_42&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9e6f75e38d-6db82a4568-344539185]
Sunday, March 22 | 11 AM – 12:30 PM | Downtown DC

In honor of National Refugee Shabbat, HIAS Action DC, a 20s and 30s network, is
kicking off its first-ever book club series by reading “Exit West” by Mohsin
Hamid. The story of Nadia and Saeed explores the refugee crisis with empathy and
magical realism. Feel free to join us even if you haven’t finished the book or
if you read it some time ago. For planning purposes and to receive the exact
address, please register for this free event through Eventbrite
[[link removed]] .


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New Beginnings Spring Concert [[link removed]]
Monday, March 30 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Georgetown University

Coloratura soprano Lubana Al Quntar, Syria’s first opera singer, will sing in
Aramaic/Syriac at Georgetown University, accompanied by pianist Edvinas
Minkstimas, oudist Chakib Hilali, and a choir, to raise awareness of refugee
crises worldwide. The concert will also include an update about the refugee
crisis in Syria; the opportunity to learn how you can help refugees locally and
worldwide; and light kosher, Syrian-style refreshments, preceding the concert.
Tickets are required and may be purchased here [[link removed]] .

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