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August 2020
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Cell phones, chat apps, and social media are the lifelines many HIAS clients now count on to access the mental-health support they need — lifelines that are even more important as the pandemic leaves many without steady jobs, money, housing, or safety.
Learn how HIAS is getting them help. |
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This year, as camps closed down amid the pandemic, summer felt like it was canceled. But HIAS and our local partner in western Massachusetts teamed up to create and distribute boxes filled with activities and helped rescue summer break for local refugee children.
Read more about the program. |
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Many HIAS clients come to us for legal assistance, but their needs go far beyond what lawyers can provide. For everything from food aid to English tutoring, HIAS relies on volunteers to help asylum seekers and refugees build secure and stable lives — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See how volunteers are stepping up. |
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One year after a mass shooting in El Paso targeted at Latinos, HIAS continues to help more than 50 survivors and family members of victims apply for visas allowing them to work, live, and eventually become permanent residents in the United States.
Read more about our work. |
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More news and stories on our blog.
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In case you missed it:
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From Refugee to Humanitarian – To mark World Humanitarian Day, which honors humanitarian workers around the world, HIAS Europe Director Ilan Cohen wrote a column for the Times of Israel about how HIAS staff members are often motivated by the humanitarian aid once extended to their own families. “HIAS helped in the beginning because the needy were Jewish,” one staff member and former refugee told him. “And now HIAS continues to serve because that’s what Jewish people do — we help.”
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I Want Israel and Sudan to Make Peace. But Not Like This. – Mutasim Ali, a former HIAS legal fellow and Darfuri refugee in Israel, wishes for peace between Israel and Sudan. But, as he explained in a column for Ha’aretz, it cannot happen by brushing over the history of Sudan’s brutal leaders. “Every country engaging with Sudan must first ask itself: Are we empowering democracy and human rights? Or are we normalizing oppression and death?” he wrote.
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HIAS Honored by Women of Reform Judaism – Women of Reform Judaism gave HIAS its most prestigious award in a virtual ceremony on Aug. 25. It was the first time the Jane Evans Pursuit of Justice Award has gone to an organization rather than an individual. HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield said the award recognizes the groups' shared values and noted that there is “no act more Jewish than welcoming the stranger or protecting the refugee."
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Full Page New York Times Ad: “Unequivocally: Black Lives Matter.” – HIAS recently joined more than 600 Jewish organizations and congregations in publicly affirming that Black lives matter. “The Black Lives Matter movement is the current day Civil Rights movement in this country, and it is our best chance at equity and justice,” read the statement issued by the groups. That statement appeared in a full-page New York Times ad on Aug. 28, the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
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Stay Involved With HIAS@Home – Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, there are still many ways to learn about, advocate for, and help refugees and asylum seekers. We’ve launched a new page, HIAS@Home, where we offer calls and webinars with our experts and partners, refugee-related resources for book and film clubs, and other ways to stay engaged on refugee issues during the pandemic.
Find a list of ways that you can help refugees and asylum seekers, even while social distancing.
Learn about our remote volunteer opportunities.
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Did you know that HIAS is on LinkedIn? You can also find us on Instagram and Medium.
For up to the minute news and updates, follow HIAS on Facebook and Twitter
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