“We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.
An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation.”
Bryan Stevenson
Social justice, in part, is an ongoing commitment to welcome the stranger. JFS staff and volunteers from Temple Sinai of Brookline mobilized in a matter of days to welcome, coordinate and set up housing for 6 individuals from Venezuela who had been sent to Martha’s Vineyard as part of a political stunt just weeks ago.
Humanitarian work often comes with little warning and in just two days, JFS staff and volunteers picked up and delivered furniture donations, household goods, clothing, personal care products and food. These essential items helped create a safe and inviting place for these individuals where they can work to build new lives here. This is social justice in action and this is our enduring charge to uphold the dignity of all.
This resettlement operation required many hands and we would like to especially thank Rabbi Vogel and Rabbi Stein from Temple Sinai of Brookline as well as Temple Sinai member, Lisa Rubin Johnson, and JFS intern, Belle Bracero Phillip, who helped coordinate the effort and to Chestnut Hill Realty and The Shapiro Foundation for their partnership. Thank you also to Welcome Home, The Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, and Father Bills & MainSpring for their support.
Securing the advancement of others is a community effort and we thank the many parties that allowed us to help and support these individuals.