Welcoming Refugees from Afghanistan into our Community

by Todd Kaplan

There are many places in the Torah where we are reminded that we were slaves in Egypt and of how we should treat the stranger:  “...you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev.19:34).

Refugees from Afghanistan are now coming to our community, often fleeing threats to their lives. So we have an opportunity to welcome the “stranger.”  Some of us have apartments that can be offered, others can offer food or household items and some of us can offer financial support.
At least three families are being settled in Cambridge and Somerville. Members of Havurat Shalom are involved in all of these types of assistance and support, including renting an apartment to a refugee family.
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If you want to financially support these refugees you can send a check to Havurat Shalom with a note that this is to support rental payments for refugees, which is one unmet need at this time.
If you would like to support in other ways, feel free to email Havurah member Todd Kaplan at [email protected].

Todd Kaplan is a long time Hav member and Somerville resident. His day job is defending tenants and homeowners facing displacement and he is passionate about alleviating food insecurity in our community and around the world.