Austin Jewish Community Takes Stand For Refugees

AUSTIN, TX — Members of the group HIAS, the global nonprofit protecting refugees, convened the Jews for Refugees Assembly with the Austin Jewish community on Sunday.

The event sought to demonstrate that the Austin Jewish community stands for the rights, dignity and lives of those seeking safety, following the decision of Gov. Greg Abbott to block refugee resettlement in Texas — and the federal court ruling that halted his decision — organizers described in a press advisory.

The afternoon event that kicked off at 1 p.m. featured remarks from Melanie Nezer, senior vice president of public affairs at HIAS, Rabbi Alan Freedman of Temple Beth Shalom, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) and civil rights attorney Jennifer Harbury. Deliana Garcia, director of international projects and emerging issues at Migrant Clinicians Network, served as the event’s emcee.

The event coincided with the third anniversary of the 2017 Muslim Ban, and the ongoing attacks on the U.S. refugee and asylum programs. "Families have been torn apart at the country’s southern border, 225 miles from Austin, while the Trump Administration has drastically cut the refugee admissions for 2020," organizers wrote.

WHAT:
Austin Jews for Refugees Assembly and volunteer/advocacy fair, led by HIAS and co-convened by Austin Jews For Justice, Congregation Agudas Achim, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Shir Ami, NCJW, Temple Beth Shalom, Texas Hillel and Shalom Austin.

WHO:
Speakers included:

• Melanie Nezer, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at HIAS
• Rabbi Alan Freedman, Temple Beth Shalom
• State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin
• Deliana Garcia, Director, International Projects and Emerging Issues at Migrant Clinicians Network
• Jennifer Harbury, civil rights attorney and activist who has lived and worked in the Rio Grande Valley for four decades

As of Jan. 17, co-sponsors include

HIAS; Austin Jews For Justice; Congregation Agudas Achim; Congregation Beth Israel; Congregation Kol Ha Lev; Congregation Shir Ami; NCJW; Temple Beth Shalom; Texas Hillel; Shalom Austin; ADL Austin; Alpha Epsilon Phi; American Gateways; Austin Border Relief; Austin Jewish Academy; Caritas of Austin; Casa Marianella; Catholic Charities Central Texas; IACT; Girls Forward; J Street, Justice For Our Neighbors; Ladies Let's Talk; NFTY-TOR; RAICES, Refugee Services of Texas; Shalom Austin YAD; Sigma Alpha Mu - University of Texas; Texas Impact; Texas Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Zeta Beta Tau - University of Texas

WHEN:
Sunday, Feb. 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Speaking Program
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Volunteer and Advocacy Fair

WHERE:
Shalom Austin JCC
Dell Jewish Community Campus
7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731