Afghan Resettlement Project

  ...for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

      Under the leadership of Barbara and Mark Friedman, our community has volunteered to help relocate and integrate a family of Afghan evacuees to the greater Westwood area.      

Many Afghans had to flee their country on short notice and are now arriving in the Boston area. Resettlement is being coordinated locally by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Catholic Charities of Boston, with support from Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP),  Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) and other agencies. We are partnering with Jewish Family Services of MetroWest, an experienced provider of immigrant and resettlement services, to ensure that this family will have what they need as they take their first steps towards safety in the shelter of our welcoming community.

Our support includes initial financial support for the family as well as in-kind donations to help furnish their rental housing. Over the next year, our hope is also to assist the family members in obtaining employment and becoming self-sufficient. Our immediate concern is to ease the trauma that the family has suffered over the past several months by supplying a well-stocked, safe home and plenty of friendly support to aid their transition into the Boston area and American society as a whole.

Our first goal is fundraising so as to secure housing and furnishings. The total fundraising goal is $50,000, of which half will ultimately go towards rent and utilities.  

Donations can be made by clicking on Give on the top of the page (select Afghan Resettlement on the donation dropdown menu) or simply by sending a check made out to TBD.  Please make a note on the check that this is earmarked for Afghan Resettlement. 

We are very eager and excited to be part of this incredible opportunity. Providing a legacy of welcome and acceptance from the USA to a family in need not only feels right, but furthers our mission of Tikkun Olam.   At this moment in time, this feels especially urgent.