It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it.
—Pirke Avot 2:21
Two disasters during the same period of time. We are bowled over by both of them. Haiti’s poverty is a major contribution to a terrible situation brought on by a natural catastrophe. In Afghanistan, the brutal forces of the Taliban have taken control. In both places, there are people struggling to survive. Here are some organizations that are working on alleviating and advocating in these two desperate areas. Our Jewish response is what it always is: we want to help. Here at CRS, we say: we can help.
The American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, responding through philanthropy and advocacy to the most pressing issues of our time.
Ruth’s Refuge is an organization devoted to providing furniture and home essentials to refugees and asylum seekers rebuilding their lives in New York City and are now helping with the sudden arrival of some Afghan refugees.
- Purchase necessities from their AmazonSmile and Target Wishlists.
- To volunteer on delivery crews, putting together beds and other furniture, and help promote their efforts, please email margo@ruthsrefuge.org.
- To help purchase beds, bedding, and storage, and to defray moving costs, please make a donation.
- To get up to date information on how you can help welcome Afghan refugees, visit their Facebook Page.
Hearts & Homes for Refugees is a Westchester-based nonprofit that works with organizations to resettle refugees and provide direct services and advocacy. They are preparing to welcome three Afghan families, the first of which is a family of seven in Yonkers, NY.
HIAS helps newly arriving Afghans start their lives in safety in their new American communities through its network of affiliates.
- Learn the actions we can take to help by volunteering, advocating, staying informed, and making donations.
- Please add your name to a letter to the Biden Administration advocating for the evacuation of Afghans as well as human rights advocates, journalists, and religious and ethnic minorities all of whom face imminent danger.
- Make a donation to help provide mental health care, legal aid, English classes, and more to these Afghan refugees.
- Learn about the work of HIAS New York that has resettled hundreds of refugees in NYC, providing them with job counseling and placement and vocational training services.
