All posts tagged: Judea Reform Congregation

After refugee aid cuts, faith groups help Afghan women connect through sewing

After refugee aid cuts, faith groups help Afghan women connect through sewing

Published by Sam Flores

DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — The Refugee Community Partnership, a mutual aid organization that supports immigrants, used to offer a sewing circle for Afghan women whose families had recently been resettled in the Triangle region of North Carolina. But the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to refugee admissions as well as refugee-support organizations meant the partnership no longer had the resources or staff to run the program, which included transportation for the women, many of whom do not drive, and daycare for their young kids. Now, two Durham-based congregations have stepped in to fill the gap. The Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Judea Reform Congregation raised money and sought volunteers to offer these new immigrants a place to improve their sewing skills, meet fellow Afghans and pick up some English skills. Volunteers from the congregations drove the women from their homes to the UU fellowship, where the class has been meeting; arranged for an Afghan class instructor and a translator; and looked after the children. The two congregations also arranged for donations of at least a …

With most new refugees barred, synagogues turn to serving those already here

With most new refugees barred, synagogues turn to serving those already here

Published by Sam Flores

DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Over the past five years, members of Judea Reform Congregation have helped resettle 13 refugee families from such countries as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela. Many of its volunteers are still caring for them. They recently sent the refugee families a spring food gift basket to celebrate Ramadan, Nowruz and Easter. Welcoming refugees is still a core mission of the synagogue, but no new refugees will be welcomed at the annual Refugee Shabbat commemoration this weekend. With President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed the day of his inauguration, all refugee admissions have been frozen, with the exception of Afrikaners, South African white farmers, of which 2,000 have been resettled across the U.S. Instead, at Friday night (March 13) services, the congregation will hear from the first Latina member of the Durham City Council about the city’s efforts to welcome immigrants. Next month, volunteers from this synagogue will join up with the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Durham to start a sewing circle for Afghan women who have been resettled in …

With most new refugees barred, synagogues turn to serving those already here

Synagogues mark Refugee Shabbat in a year without refugees

Published by Sam Flores

DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Over the past five years, members of Judea Reform Congregation have helped resettle 13 refugee families from such countries as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela. Many of its volunteers are still caring for them. They recently sent the refugee families a spring food gift basket to celebrate Ramadan, Nowruz and Easter. Welcoming refugees is still a core mission of the synagogue, but no new refugees will be welcomed at the annual Refugee Shabbat commemoration this weekend. With President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed the day of his inauguration, all refugee admissions have been frozen, with the exception of Afrikaners, South African white farmers, of which 2,000 have been resettled across the U.S. Instead, at Friday night (March 13) services, the congregation will hear from the first Latina member of the Durham City Council about the city’s efforts to welcome immigrants. Next month, volunteers from this synagogue will join up with the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Durham to start a sewing circle for Afghan women who have been resettled in …