“You were strangers in the land of Egypt”
Exodus 22:21
As we welcome in a new year, I am proud to announce the launching of Tikkun, BHA’s social justice team, and I invite you to participate in our first action, the BHA Winter Wear Collection for Asylum Seekers residing in the Hudson Valley
Who are we helping?
They arrived at the Red Roof Inn in Poughkeepsie in mid May, bussed up from NYC (having been turned away from Sullivan County), with little to no belongings. They are 60 men, including doctors, cooks, an electrician, an x-ray technician, college students, an air traffic controller, an anesthesiologist, landscapers, builders and more. They came in search of a better life, some of them teenagers, sent by their families, some leaving wives and children behind, with plans for reunification once settled. They hail from Senegal, Venezuela, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Columbia, Mauritania and more. All of them fleeing situations oppressive enough for them to be deemed asylum seekers , pursuing the status of “refugee” so that they might legally settle in the United States.
How do we help?
- This link will allow you to purchase from a list of much needed winter wear items, starting at just $10. Gloves, hats, puffer vests and more.
- Choose an item/s from this list and purchase it!
- Choose “Davidovits” as your delivery location and it will get to where it needs to go.
- New items will be added to the list as needs arise.
Over the course of the last four months, Dutchess Welcoming, a coalition of volunteers, has formed to fill the massive gaps in services provided to these asylum seekers. These efforts have provided healthy food to supplement the sub par meals being served, clothing, English lessons, toiletries, transportation to medical appointments and more.
Now is BHA's chance to contribute. Let's come together as a community to prepare the asylum seekers for the cold weather!
If you are interested in joining the Tikkun Team, please let me know at debd@beaconhebrewalliance.org
