REFUGEE ASSISTANCE UPDATE

Beth El Synagogue is a member of the Interfaith Council of New Americans Westchester (ICNAW), a volunteer group of diverse religious and secular organizations. ICNAW works with HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which has been “in business” for over 150 years, welcoming and supporting new arrivals to the United States, including many of our own ancestors. ICNAW locates and furnishes apartments for recent arrivals, helps them negotiate the social service system, donates vehicles and provides driving lessons, seeks out employment for adults, schools and tutoring for children and adults, medical and dental assistance as needed, and gradually acculturates these individuals to their new surroundings.

More detail about ICNAW’s work can be found here: https://bit.ly/3TJQjpd.

To date, ICNAW has worked with refugees from Afghanistan who are SIVs, i.e., those granted special immigrant visas for assisting United States forces in Afghanistan. ICNAW has settled five families and is planning to welcome a sixth to Westchester after HIAS clearance. Beth El’s Refugee Assistance Committee warmly invites you to join our work with ICNAW where you’ll find numerous opportunities for both short- and long-term experiences. Interested? Contact Joyce Wechsler (joywechsler@gmail.com) or Susan Wolman (swolman9@gmail.com).

REFUGEE ASSISTANCE: IN NEED OF LEARNING TOYS FOR 18-24 MONTHS

It's time to clean out your toy box! Some of our refugee families are in need of manipulative toys such as knob puzzles, shape toys, blocks, large Lego blocks,etc. If you can donate anything, please send a picture of the toy to lilrhodie@gmail.com to avoid duplication. We will arrange to pick up any donations from you. Thanks for your support. The Refugee Assistance Committee

THE BAUM JUCAICA GIFT SHOP is stocked and ready for you!

Our history and information is now on our website along with some pictures to give you an idea of the type of inventory we have. We offer moderately priced Judaica and giftware from reliable Judaica vendors. Please look at our little corner of the world when you are in the synagogue and call us when you have an item in mind. Don’t forget that if you see something elsewhere, we can probably get it for you. Also, remember that our profits go straight to our synagogue. Although we are not yet able to accept credit card purchases, we do accept cash and checks. New items arrive all the time! Check the display cases! Call or email Gift Shop Chairs: Carole Graham: carolegraham@optonline.net or 914-419-6270 Ellen Hollander: ellenarts@optonline.net or 914-632-4658

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to the Beth El Community:

Eugene Bellin Kevin & Jennifer Hylton Julie Kattan & Milton Kreppel Samuel & Joanna Kaufman Aaron and Rebecca Levy Joanna & Mordechai Sacks Lisa Scherzer & Jason Mirvis Ariel Simon & Naava Katz