Congregations & Clergy
WJCI & Clergy: Working Together
Because of our experiences as Jews, we are sensitive to immigration issues and immigrants' presence in our communities. The Torah itself is explicit in Exodus, "You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt".
How to Get Involved
Here are some ways Rabbis, Cantors, Clergy and congregations can get involved in our work:
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Attend WJCI's quarterly informational meetings to talk and learn about current immigration initiatives.
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Speak from the pulpit about immigration issues, tying them into Jewish liturgy on occasions like Refugee Shabbat.
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Bring refugees, resettlement workers, and Holocaust survivors to speak to congregants.
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Encourage your synagogue's youth and college students to get involved in making our community a more welcoming place.
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Join Bet Am Shalom, Congregation Kol Ami, Hebrew Institute of White Plains, Shaarei Tikvah of Scarsdale, and Temple Israel Center of White Plains in the Westchester Right to Counsel Coalition to protect immigrants’ right to fair housing.
Refugee Shabbat is an educational opportunity for congregations, organizations, and individuals to learn more and reaffirm our commitment to current immigration issues in the United States and around the world and dedicate a Shabbat experience to refugees and asylum seekers. To learn more about Refugee Shabbat, click here.
WJCI offers a speakers' bureau covering a wealth of refugee and asylee experiences. We can help you build support and understanding for the stranger through Refugee Shabbat powered by HIAS. Questions? Want to get involved? Contact us at info@wjci.org.
