Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis addressed guests at yesterday’s launch event for the annual Refugee Shabbat, run by HIAS+JCORE.
In a pre-recorded message, he said that the struggles faced by refugees today “resonate deeply with each and every one of us [because] we as Jewish people have known what it’s like to be refugees, with deep-rooted fear and uncertainty of what the next day will bring”.
Mirvis continued: “It is only natural at this time that we should reach out and do whatever we can for the sake of refugees. May we always do our utmost for the sake of their happy and secure future.”
His sentiments were echoed by community leaders from across the spectrum of Jewish denominations.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the co-lead of Progressive Judaism in the UK and Ireland, said that there is “a deeply Jewish instinct that our well-being is bound with the wellbeing of others.
“We know what it means to seek refuge and we know what it means when doors are closed to us. So the Jewish community carries a particular voice when it comes to discussion about refugees. This organisation reminds us that Jewish responsibility does not stop at our community’s security.”
Rabbi Charley Baginsky addressing guests (Photo: Jennie van den Boogaard for HIAS+JCORE)[Missing Credit]
The yearly Refugee Shabbat – which is taking place this weekend [March 13-14] for the eighth time – is an opportunity to recognise the profound impact of the global Jewish movement working on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people, said organisers.
Outside of the UK, there will be more than 200 synagogues participating in refugee Shabbat in the US, under the umbrella of HIAS – including Temple Israel in Michigan, the States’ largest Reform synagogue, and the site of last night’s ramming and gun attack.
Dr Beth Oppenheim, CEO of HIAS, said that she had prepared talking points in advance of her speech, but that they “went out the window” 20 minutes before she video-called from Los Angeles.
“It is on my mind that, as we stand together, we don’t do that in a silo,” she said. “We do that in an environment which is risky for us all. Where Jewish institutions and communities may find themselves in the middle of violence.”
She continued: “In this unprecedented moment, we, as Jews, can sometimes bring the precedent. We can understand where tropes come from which feel hateful and discriminatory. We can understand the political winds which push anti-immigrant or anti-refugee sentiment.”
Guests at the event (Photo: Jennie van den Boogaard for HIAS+JCORE)[Missing Credit]
The event was hosted by Rabbi David Mason, executive director of HIAS+JCORE, who described the evening as “an event of hope and a statement from the Jewish community that we are with refugees”.
“Just as we were refugees looking for support, we want to now help those who are looking for support. And never give up on our values, our compassion, and our equality, and build a Britain which brings people together to learn from each other and revel and take joy in each other.”
He introduced Eliza Ward, the frontline support manager at HIAS+JCORE, whose primary role is managing JUMP, a befriending project which has supported young refugees and asylum seekers since its founding in 2007.
“They need a lot of guidance to navigate the systems which they exist within,” said Eliza.
JUMP helps them out in many areas of their lives, including sourcing English and maths tutors for GCSE students, supporting British citizenship applications, and running community events like theatre trips.
Ben, 36, who has been a JUMP “befriender” for six years, said that the connection with the young refugee who he helps grew via their shared love for football.
“Because of his obsession with football, we would play or watch football every time that we met up. Now we’ve done other things – we’ve explored pretty much all of London, gone to museums, and he’s beaten me repeatedly at bowling,” he laughed.
“He [the young refugee] has said on multiple occasions that he considers me his best friend and it’s been a real privilege to get to know him over the years,” Ben continued.
“JUMP has allowed him to have this one constant in his life, one person that he can always call, always message, and really trusts.”
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Ben the befriender addressing guests (Photo: Jennie van den Boogaard for HIAS+JCORE)[Missing Credit]
Guests also learnt about the charity’s student refugee ambassador programme run in tandem with the Union of Jewish Students.
Over 30 students have come together to be educated about issues and policies surrounding refugees and asylum seekers.
Samantha Lewkowicz, the UJS officer for social action and Holocaust education, said: “We’ve got the most passionate and engaged students who are volunteering their time to learn the lived realities of refugees and asylum seekers.”
The JC also spoke to Tamara Joseph, who has applied to make Finchley Progressive Synagogue the first “synagogue of sanctuary”, akin to the churches of sanctuary project.
She said that “being a synagogue which fosters a culture of welcoming refugees with actual support and by campaigning for them is in our DNA. We’ve been doing it for over a decade and we’re constantly thinking of new ways of doing so”.
There were also some community leaders present from the wider local community.
Rachel Blake, Labour Co-op MP for Cities of London and Westminster since 2024, said: “London has always thrived on people coming from all parts of the world to get to know each other and form a success story.
“I believe it will always be a place that is welcoming of people and celebrates the strength that asylum and refugees bring to our country.”
Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, who arrived in the UK as a refugee from Iran 46 years ago, aged 13, told the audience: “My own personal story gives me a sense of commitment and a desire to be a part of this work. I know that the opportunities I was given allowed me to have a sense of belonging and to begin to contribute.
“It’s really important to me that these events are a shared expression of the dignity of every child of G-d, regardless of faith. These are opportunities for how we can work together for the common good and the dignity of all people.”
To find out more about refugee Shabbat 2026, click here.
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