VAAP joins JCOGS’ refugee shabbat
Building Bridges: VAAP Joins JCOGS for Refugee Shabbat
On a powerful and deeply moving evening earlier this month, VAAP had the privilege of participating in the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) annual Refugee Shabbat, an international event dedicated to standing in solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. It was standing room only as the congregation gathered for a musical service, followed by a panel discussion featuring experts in the field, including VAAP’s own Jill Martin Diaz:
Jill Martin Diaz (VAAP -Vermont Asylum Assistance Project)
Matt Thompson (USCRI/VRRP- US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants)
Seth Lipschutz (CVRAN- Central Vermont Refugee Action Network)
Melissa Battah (Executive Director of Vermont Interfaith Action)
Sonali Samarasinghe (USCRI- US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants)
Each speaker shared their expertise and personal experiences, reflecting on the challenges facing immigrant communities in Vermont and the opportunities for action. Attorney Mike Feder, who found his calling to volunteer at USCRI and, now, VAAP, through JCOGS, captured the spirit of the evening when he said, "I never would have found USCRI had it not been for JCOGS’ involvement with their community."
The response from the JCOGS community was overwhelming. In the days following the event, JCOGS members expressed their eagerness to continue the conversation and take meaningful action. JCOGS has committed to deepening its relationships with organizations like VAAP and is exploring ways to mobilize as a community. A follow-up meeting is already in the works, where ideas and resources will be shared, and a coordinated effort will take shape. Calls to action included:
Political action in VT to get state funding for new Americans (see, e.g., https://www.vaapvt.org/advocacy-state)
Hiring initiatives - try to get business owners to hire people who have work authorization. (see, e.g., attached and here: https://www.vtrural.org/working-communities-challenge/; and here: https://workingfields.com/)
Lawyer outreach - find lawyers in the community who can help one of the many groups in VT, especially VAAP (see, e.g., https://www.vaapvt.org/volunteer)
USCRI support - offer to be a buddy to people who are settling in VT. (see, e.g., https://refugees.org/uscri-vermont/)
Fundraising - The groups that exist have lost funding or expect to lose it in the near future. (see, e.g. https://refugees.org/uscri-vermont/ and https://www.vaapvt.org/donations)
Tzedakah - organize donations of sundries to USCRI and other groups trying to help new Americans stand on their own two feet. (see, e.g., https://refugees.org/uscri-vermont/ and https://www.vaapvt.org/get-material-help)
Legal Observation - teach people how to observe ICE/CBP interactions and document and create a record of constitutional rights violations of marginalized groups. (see. e.g, https://www.nlg.org/legalobservers-2016/?utm_campaign=Covid-19%20Donations&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=88914362&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-812oMxjyvMbGDPiLkTx2JCTxBT3INaji2rQ0SmyPKGTM-VUEHNxwouVWC78R2QfKDB6hupyBwoux1XwPrKni0WJZfbBA&utm_content=88914362&utm_source=hs_email and https://www.witness.org/filming-ice/).
Rapid Response - organize & train people to support families when ICE detains a relative (work with social workers to get training). Have one day/week to get calls if anything happens. (see, e.g., https://www.cliniclegal.org/toolkits/rapid-response-toolkit).
The synagogue also offers spaces like the Caring for Ourselves While We Care About the World group, which fosters reflection and action. JCOGS has emphasized that this is just the beginning, affirming their long-term commitment to supporting refugee and immigrant communities in Vermont.
We are immensely grateful for the warmth, engagement, and solidarity shown by JCOGS. Their dedication to collective action is inspiring, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration in the months ahead. Stay tuned for ways you can get involved in supporting Vermont’s immigrant and refugee communities!
