Jews and Sikhs unite to provide asylum seekers with food and clothes

Jewish and Sikh volunteers teamed up to provide asylum-seekers with hot meals, clothing and food vouchers on Sunday, in an example of the two faith communities jointly engaging in social action.

The drop-in centre at West London Synagogue provided the backdrop to the shared activity, following a meeting between the Sikh Council UK and the Board of Deputies earlier in 2018, when the two organisations committed to working closer together.

Volunteers were also on-hand to provide companionship and advice for parents and children who have fled life-threatening violence or persecution in their countries of origin.

The Reform shul has been a leading light on social action, and in March it teamed up with Al-Manaar Mosque to provide emergency beds and food to rough-sleepers across the capital during the cold snap.

The Board’s Anthony Silkoff said: “What better way for Sikh and Jewish communities to get to know each other, than by working together to help those in need?”

He added: “The Sikh and Jewish communities have much in common, and that is a strong basis on which to build a partnership. Dialogue between faiths is crucial, but nothing is more important than putting your beliefs into action together.”

Satnam Singh Chana of the Sikh Council UK said: “It was a real privilege to take part in this important project supporting asylum seekers with our Jewish brothers and sisters. We look forward to the next round of joint activism together, when our Jewish friends come to help us to feed the homeless.”