A volunteer organization called Repair the World will partner with the JUF-supported HIAS to direct #SupportforRefugees, an effort to inspire support for newly resettled refugees. Thousands of young adults are expected to participate during the two-week program, from April 15-30.

Repair the World coordinates volunteer projects with organizations that provide access to food, education, housing, job training, or after-school care. Its ongoing “Turn the Tables” initiative provides materials that facilitate Jewish dialogue on issues- including the refugee crisis- during a Seder or Shabbat dinner.

“We are a refugee people. [Soon,] we will gather to tell the story of our people’s escape from persecution and our wandering without a home. The parallels to today’s global refugee crisis are inescapable,” noted Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, vice president for Community Engagement at HIAS . “We hope that the conversations that begin around the table will raise awareness and call today’s emerging Jewish leaders to action.”

JUF/Federation has played an important role in establishing programs and services for refugees in Illinois, including serving as a founding member and administrator of the Illinois Refugee Social Service Consortium since 1975.

More information, including #SupportforRefugees registration and “Turn the Tables” materials, is at werepair.org/passover.