Dear John,
I hope you and your family are well. It’s been a challenging year, and now the family gatherings we look forward to during the High Holidays look very different from what we are used to.
Many of us are unable to be together with our families and friends in person. It’s hard to break with cherished traditions. I know I’m not alone in feeling a sense of loss during these holidays, when I have no idea when I’ll be able to safely see my parents.
In a very real way, this feeling of uncertainty and loss, and being separated from family, is a powerful and personal reminder of the experience of the millions of people around the world who seek refuge and asylum. The difference is that we know that someday our lives will return to normal. People who have fled their homes due to violence and persecution, leaving their families, friends, homes, schools, work, churches, mosques, and synagogues behind, don’t know if that day will ever come.
It’s up to us to give these people hope that someday things will return to normal for them too. Striving to uphold our Jewish values, HIAS works every day to advocate for and provide critical support to refugees as they build new lives. With record numbers of displaced people, at our own borders and around the globe, our work remains as important as ever. We hope you’ll take a moment to sign our pledge to support displaced families during this difficult time:
Click here to sign our pledge to support refugees and asylum seekers.
The pandemic has amplified the already-difficult struggles of displaced people — putting millions of families who don't have access to adequate shelter, clean water, and other basic essentials at a high risk of contracting the deadly virus. As much as we can during this difficult time, it is important that we reach out to provide assistance during refugees’ hour of need. In the coming year, HIAS will continue to provide legal aid, resettlement assistance, and other crucial support for refugees in need — no matter what urgent situations they may face.
As we begin the new year in a time of great uncertainty and change for everyone, we recommit ourselves to hear the call — and heed the call — to provide help and hope to every person seeking safety and freedom.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and healthy year,
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