(Jewish Group) Washington State Synagogue Shelters Asylum Seekers (Updated)
In a few weeks, the congregants at Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia, Washington, will gather for Yom Kippur services, where a line in the traditional liturgy declares, “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations.”
In this synagogue’s case, that will literally be true.
Last week, the Reconstructionist Jewish congregation south of Seattle agreed to provide sanctuary for Maria Pablo Matias, an undocumented woman from Guatemala, and her son. The two asylum seekers are now living in the synagogue to protect themselves from arrest and deportation.
Beth Hatfiloh is the only synagogue in the United States known to be sheltering an undocumented immigrant, according to T’ruah, a liberal rabbinic human rights group.
“Knowing that we’re really doing this work, that we’re committed to social justice work, tikkun olam work in this really direct way, it’s very fulfilling, it’s very moving,” Rabbi Seth Goldstein said, using a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world.” “It’s an issue that’s been deeply personal for us as a Jewish community, to work directly in this manner on immigrant justice work.”
more...
Shhhh...don't let anyone know Jews all over the country are working to protect immigrants.