Dear John,

This weekend, ADL is cosponsoring HIAS’s annual Refugee Shabbat. We are witnessing an enormous and acute humanitarian crisis as over a half-million people flee Ukraine due to an unprovoked Russian invasion, adding to the more than 80 million people worldwide who have fled their homes due to persecution and violence.

We are at a critical moment for refugees and asylum seekers, including thousands who have fled the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and seek safe havens in the United States and other countries.

On Refugee Shabbat, you can dedicate sacred time and space to refugees and asylum seekers and lift up the urgent need to provide welcome and support to those in need of a safe place to call home.

Once again, Refugee Shabbat will be an opportunity to join thousands of individuals and hundreds of congregations to raise awareness, celebrate our advocacy efforts and recognize the powerful work that is being done across the world to create communities of welcome, despite the challenges of this moment.

Learn more and sign up at hias.org/refugee-shabbat. You can participate as an individual or as part of a congregation or organization; everyone is welcome. In addition to local gatherings in many communities, there will also be national and international gatherings on Zoom.

With hopefulness for a brighter future and a more peaceful week ahead,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL