Current events at the end of 2024 presage the possibility of assisting refugees and asylum seekers more difficult in the coming year.
Meanwhile, in the present, JCARR’S families are thriving. The new baby in family 7, now a robust four-month-old, is nearly as adorable as this writer’s grandchildren were at that age. His older sisters attend the local school.
A milestone happened in November: the one-year anniversary of Family 9’s arrival in the U.S. They arrived on November 1, 2023 after a very long flight from Turkey, their home for ten years after fleeing the civil war in their native Syria. They were tired, excited, nervous and uncertain how this next phase of their life would unfold. They were greeted by JCARR and settled in New Haven. The older children are now attending local schools while the littlest brother has learned how to walk and ramble about. Dad is employed full time and Mom is home with the children. The family has repeatedly expressed their gratitude to JCARR for the support and guidance they received; we at JCARR have been awed by their resilience and their love and support for one another. We have truly become each others’ family.
To show their appreciation and gratification, family 9 hosted a dinner for their JCARR family at Congregation Mishkan Israel. Twenty-five guests feasted on a most delicious Syrian banquet, all crafted by the family: soup, dips, salads, chicken and, best of all, Turkish baklava. It was a joyous time for all.
On February 21, JCARR will lead Refugee Shabbat at Temple Emanuel, commemorating both our own history as “strangers” in a new land and our going forward to welcome the new arrivals in this day and age.
You can help. Donate to JCARR at: https://jewishnewhaven.org/refugee-resettlement/give. Or, send checks payable to The Jewish Federation, with JCARR in the memo line (JFGNH, 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT. 06525), attention: Jennifer Zuppe. ALL donations go directly into JCARR’s bank account.
For more information, contact Jean Silk at jsilk@jewishnewhaven.org.
