Succot unites faiths to offer Syrian refugees a sanctuary
Succot has marked the start of an initiative to get London councils to double the number of refugees they take in from the Middle East, as Jews construct temporary shelters to remember the refugee experience of their ancestors.
There was early success in Kingston, when 70 faith leaders gathered in the town centre and persuaded Tory council leader Kevin Davis to offer sanctuary to 50 people from UN camps in Syria.
Organisers say they want to offer refuge to 1,500 people across the capital, up from 750 today.
Get The Jewish News Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up
“It was a pleasure to welcome Christians and Muslims to celebrate the festival of Succot with us and share this important tradition of our faith,” said Rabbi Baginsky.
“Together we promise to aid and welcome refugees resettled to Kingston.”
What’s more securing an assurance of more home homes for Syrian refugees families @CitizensUK @KingstonLibShul pic.twitter.com/azT13fw0T8
— Rabbi Charley (@RabCharley) October 11, 2014
Liberal Judaism’s Danny Rich said: “This isn’t about an open door immigration policy; it’s about helping some of the most vulnerable refugees and supporting them to safety here in Kingston.”
There are 2.3 million refugees in Syria and Iraq and the Bishop of Kingston, Rev. Dr Richard Cheetham, said even if the UK resettled 1,500 people, this was still a small number when compared with countries such as Germany, which was offering to settle 10,000 Syrian refugees.
“The UK has a tradition of offering a home to those displaced by war and oppression,” he said.
“In giving sanctuary to Syrian refugees we would be affirming the understanding which is central to the Christian faith that the stranger should be made welcome in our communities.”
Incredible day with @KingstonLibShul and @CitizensUK building a sukkah in the middle of kingston town centre and pic.twitter.com/7FmFMRTL57
— Rabbi Charley (@RabCharley) October 11, 2014
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
-
By Brigit Grant
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)
-
By Laurent Vaughan - Senior Associate (Bishop & Sewell Solicitors)