Shabbat Pekudei / Refugee Shabbat
Noah Habeeb (Ark Coordinator) and Dylan Parent (Ark Team Leader) were the guest speakers at Friday’s Refugee Shabbat services.
Great news: the Ark has helped 500 people over 3 years, from 50 different countries (75% of whom identify as LGBTQ+); 100 asylum applications have been filed; 14 people have been granted asylum (including 1 recent green card application); and, more than $40,000 in aid has been delivered to 100 immigrant friends.
The tougher news: Even after a change in administrations in the U.S., there still aren’t enough folks being granted asylum; expulsions and detentions remain far too high; and there is an ongoing, great need for mutual aid services.
“Volunteer with us,” Noah said at the end of his remarks. “Many of you already do. Email us and we’ll tell you exactly what you need to do in order to volunteer.”
“I encourage you to come on board the Ark,” Dylan said at the end of her remarks, “with the special gift of your time and a life-saving donation to our GoFundMe. Thank you for celebrating refugee Shabbat with us.”
Visit The Ark Immigration Clinic’s GoFundMe page
Noah Habeeb and Dylan Parent addressed CBST at Kabbalat Shabbat services on March 4, 2022 / 2 Adar II 5782.