• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • Rav Gavrielle Pescador
    • Our History
      • Photo Gallery
    • Our Values and Vision
    • LGBTQ Inclusive
    • Our Board
    • Our Sacred Objects
    • About Reconstructionist Judaism
    • Jewish Ann Arbor
  • Programs
    • Shabbat and Holidays
    • Learning
    • B’nei Mitzvah
    • Tikkun Olam
    • In the (Washtenaw Jewish) News
    • Health and Safety Expectations for In-Person Gatherings
    • Join our Mailing List
  • Religious School
    • About Beit Sefer
    • Teachers
    • Enrollment and Tuition
  • Blog
  • Membership
    • Overview
    • Thinking about joining?
    • Renew your membership
    • Member Area
      • Overview
      • Get involved!
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Beit Sefer (Religious School) / Purim Gifts: Welcome Baskets for Refugee Families

Purim Gifts: Welcome Baskets for Refugee Families

February 25, 2016 by Clare Kinberg

welcome basketAARC Beit Sefer teacher Sharon Alvandi is a student in the UMich Jewish Communal Leadership Program, and an intern at Jewish Family Service learning to work with refugee families. Sharon has been very inspired by our AARC congregation, particularly the ways that the Beit Sefer students, parents and other community members come together to share learning and activities, investing in the character of the children. Through her work with JFS, Sharon is organizing a way for us to practice the mitzvot of Purim, giving gifts of tasty treats to one another/mishloach manot, and gifts to the poor/mattanot le-evyonim (for more about how these two mitzvot are related see this). Sharon writes:

There are many reasons to celebrate Purim and sort through a narrative that’s truly unlike any other in Jewish scripture. On Purim- the holiday of “lots”- we celebrate more than simply the idea of chance. When we listen to Esther’s story, we collectively celebrate character, resolve, and integrity. By presenting her true self–her Jewish self–to king Ahasuerus to appeal for the fate of the Jewish people of Shushan (present day Susa, Iran), Esther is a model of advocacy for herself and others. As a developing social worker, this story helps me think  about what it takes to act in a way that integrates all parts of who I am.

Purim also commemorates what it means to survive genocide or the threat of genocide. Each day when I work at JFS, I have the opportunity to observe the strength of character of the clients and the meticulous work of the case managers to serve a community of refugees in making the best choices in their first days in the U.S.   

JFS has resettled over 350 refugees since 2009.  Countries range from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iran, Syria, and Burma. JFS is set to resettle 150 individuals by October 1, 2016. AARC can help with the resettlement of families by joining with JFS  to assemble and donate Welcome Baskets for refugee families in Washtenaw County. We can do more than discuss violence that is taking place abroad. We can  welcome those in our community who have found refuge in a new place. This Purim, we can help make a space of comfort for their true selves.

Sharon has put together a list of personal care and household items the new families need upon arrival to set up their new homes. Check with this registry to see what is needed. We ask that you buy these items new and when you have, check off the registry. We will assemble the Welcome Baskets some time during the Purim Shabbaton March 25-27.

Share

Filed Under: Beit Sefer (Religious School), Tikkun Olam, Upcoming Activities Tagged With: mitzvah, Purim

Primary Sidebar

Search

Upcoming Events

  • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, December 9, 2023 – Second Saturday Shabbat Morning Service
  • 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, December 10, 2023 – Annual Membership Meeting
  • 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, December 10, 2023 – Beit Sefer at the JCC
  • 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, December 17, 2023 – Beit Sefer at the JCC
  • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, December 22, 2023 – Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat

Join Our Mailing List

Sign up for our twice a week newsletter to get details on upcoming events and catch up on our latest news.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Latest News

  • Chag Hanukkah Same’ach! December 7, 2023
  • AARC Embraces Community Collaborations, in the December 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News December 4, 2023
  • Opportunities to Celebrate Chanukah In Community Abound, Please Join Us!!! December 1, 2023
  • It Is Time To Sign Up To Host A Night Of ‘Home-Hosted Hanukkah’!! November 5, 2023
  • New Beginnings at AARC, in November 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News October 30, 2023

Follow AARC

  • facebook
  • youtube

Footer

Affiliated with

Register/Login

  • Log in
  • Register (for members only)

Copyright © 2023 Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation