OPINION: Our Jewish duty to welcome the stranger has never become more urgent

It’s fair to say that our community punches above its weight. We might be small (though certainly mighty!), and there’s so much we do to be proud of.

Yet among this is something that perhaps doesn’t always get the celebration it should: our work alongside people seeking asylum.

I’ve worked in the Jewish community for over twenty years, building projects to enhance the lives of others—Jewish and non-Jewish. But for me, it’s the time spent building a welcome for people seeking asylum at the United Synagogue that truly stands out.

That’s why I’ve joined HIAS+JCORE—the UK Jewish community’s leading voice and response to refuge and asylum—to take this to the next level.

My passion for their mission is multifaceted. It’s true, of course, that as Jews, we’ve unfortunately had to flee our homes multiple times throughout history. The UK was there for many of us during our time of need just under a century ago. Yes, we know that far more could have been done, and that it hasn’t always been plain sailing here. But in so many ways, we are proof of what refugee communities can go on to achieve when they are given a fair opportunity.

So with that comes a moral obligation. It’s my firm belief that we all have a role to play in building a just society, and our community must ensure it is central to these efforts. After all, as Hillel famously said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I?” It is up to each of us to create welcoming and accepting communities where we can all live and flourish together.

“And if not now, then when?” Hillel continued. This is a moment when we truly need to stand up. I saw firsthand at the United Synagogue how many challenges people in our asylum system face. From the long waits for a decision to the destitution they’re often forced into during this time, I was shaken by the glaring absence of compassion in a system that should offer welcome. And that’s all before considering the wider context of recent far-right violence that has left many displaced people scared even to go outside.

But I saw firsthand, too, so many reasons to be hopeful. The drop-in centres I established and ran continue to have a remarkable impact, and across the Jewish community, hundreds of people seeking asylum are helped every month. They are a true embodiment of the famous Biblical phrase: Love your neighbour as you love yourself.

Our challenge now is to meet this moment, the serious need, and go even further. My vision is bold: an organic, confident Jewish movement for refugees, with space for every community member to contribute. There are so many elements to being a British Jew, but I believe supporting refugees and people seeking asylum must become core.

It’s not by accident that the Torah commands us 36 times—more than any other—to care for the stranger. At a time when refugees are demonised in headlines and policy alike, our moral clarity has never been more needed. So imagine a UK where every synagogue is a place of sanctuary, where young Jews see standing with others as a core part of their identity, and where we join to empower refugees to thrive.

Yael Peleg (right). United Synagogue Chesed Team supporting families in need

There’s so much we can achieve together. In the coming months, I’m excited to meet lots of communities, raise awareness of refugee issues, and build partnerships that create a welcoming and integration. Whether it’s helping source the essential goods that allow people to live in dignity and get back on their feet, engaging with our communal drop-in centres, volunteering with our life-changing JUMP befriending programme, or learning with us how you can advocate for a better country for refugees, let’s put our values into action.

I can’t wait for you to join us.