JCOR is a coalition made up of volunteers from Beth Israel Congregation, Temple Beth Emeth, the Jewish Cultural Society, the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Pardes Hannah, and the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan. With additional support from Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Federation, these congregations have come together to support resettlement of one refugee family in Washtenaw County.
On September 15, the parents of JCOR’s newly arrived refugee family attended their son’s middle school curriculum night and met some of his teachers.
That may not seem exciting enough to merit an update bulletin but consider the context.
Mom and Dad are members of the refugee family from Colombia that the six congregations of JCOR have been generously supporting with volunteers and donations. JCOR, which stands for Jewish Congregations Organized for Resettlement, is co-sponsoring the family with Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.
The newcomer family arrived at Detroit Metro Airport on August 17; so, the middle school visit took place just 29 days after they stepped off the airplane. In those 29 days: JCOR’s Housing Team located and helped lease an apartment; the community donated furnishings; a team of volunteers helped the family move in; JCOR’s Education Team helped get both kids enrolled in the Ann Arbor Public Schools with access to free breakfasts and lunches; and other volunteers have taken the newcomers shopping, taught them about using the bus system, and accomplished much more! And our collaborator, Jewish Family Services case worker Amanda Fahim, helped them obtain social security cards, medicaid cards, Delta Dental Cards (for the kids), and a Bridge Card as part of the resettlement process. JCOR’s fiduciary agent, the Jewish Federation and CFO Rob Deschaine, have established a secure and efficient financial structure to disburse and receive funds—$18,000 donated to-date.
As the High Holy Days approach, we anticipate the coming new year, and take stock of the year that is ending. This is a good opportunity to recognize what JCOR volunteers and supporters have been able to accomplish in just one month, and the positive impact they have had so far on the newcomers—all in the spirit of Tikkun Olam.
This also is a fitting time to extend gratitude and thanks to all of you and to everyone in all six Congregations who have volunteered, donated furnishings, or offered financial and moral support.
L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem. – May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.