HIAS+JCORE
JCORE
Established in 1976, JCORE (Jewish Council for Racial Equality) has worked both inside and outside the Jewish community to provide a Jewish voice on race and asylum issues. Indeed, we are the only Jewish anti-racism organisation that makes explicit the connection between racism and attitudes to asylum.
We believe a concern for social justice should be an integral part of Jewish identity and interaction with the rest of society. We encourage the Jewish community to speak out against racism because, as Jews, we know what happens when others stand by and do nothing. Our work also involves collaboration with other communities, as we believe this is the best way to tackle racism and discrimination.
We work in three main areas: education on race and asylum issues; campaigning and practical support for refugees and asylum seekers; and Black-Asian-Jewish dialogue. Through our schools’ programmes, we help Jewish children see the connection between their Jewish identity and combating racism. We have four programmes to help asylum seekers and refugees: JUMP, providing one-to-one befriending for vulnerable young asylum seekers who have come to the UK without parents or a guardian; Minds Together, offering one-to-one therapeutic counselling and creative group sessions to vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees who have been deeply traumatised in their countries of origin; Refugee Doctors, helping refugee doctors to requalify in the UK; and JCORE Support, providing basic necessities for destitute asylum seekers in the UK.
HIAS
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora.
HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients and staff at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
Learn more and take action at HIAS.org