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| JCORE Newsletter
February 2010 / 5770 |
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
In the space of just two weeks recently, we spoke to 800 people at various events on race and asylum. As well as breaking a record, it was a great way of bringing a positive Jewish voice into the national agenda, and of taking JCORE's message to new audiences. Meanwhile, thanks to all of you (especially to Alyth Gardens and Finchley Progressive synagogues) for responding magnificently to our appeal for coats for destitute asylum seekers, and also to everyone who signed the petition to save the Old Barn (the venue of the New North London synagogue drop-in for destitute asylum seekers) - 158 names within 36 hours of our urgent action email.
Edie Friedman
Executive Director
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STOP PRESS
Detention of children for immigration purposes must stop. In case you didn't see it, here is JCORE's letter of protest to The Guardian last week, which was co-signed by rabbis and social action groups. (It follows another letter from leading writers and actors).
What can you do? Write to your MP expressing your concern about this cruel practice. Please send us a copy of your letter and let us know when you get a reply. Click here for more information.
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News
A Jewish voice on race and asylum
 "It was uplifting to hear from you and the JCORE perspective .... I can't think of an event that I have attended, that I have heard migration, refugees and asylum talked about from a secular Jewish perspective. A very welcome change."
That comment was inspired by Edie's contribution to a joint conference for Runnymede Trust and University of East London's Refugee Studies Department. She also spoke at Progressive Londoners Conference, Yad Vashem-UK, and the Unite Against Facism conference (pictured above with Steve Bell from the Communication Workers Union and Margaret Hodge MP, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism).
JUMP leaps forward
 Good new from JUMP co-ordinator Laura Maxwell. JUMP now has accreditation from the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, and is heading for Approved Provider Status. And eight befriending pairs are up and running, with asylum seekers aged from 15 to 21 from Afghanistan, Albania, China, Iraq, Eritrea, and Vietnam. One befriending pair that has been particularly successful is two young mothers: Tian from China paired with Shiri from London.
Shiri, the befriender in the pair, says, "It's inspiring and educating for me to see Tian's capacity, resilience and ambitions. I really look forward to seeing her. I've learnt stuff I had no idea about. My son gets a lot out of it too." |
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  We are delighted to welcome Neil Levitan and Talya Sive to the team. Neil comes to us from UJIA, and will be acting as Deputy Director during Adele's maternity leave. Talya, a freelance informal educator, starts on 1st March as our full-time education officer.
We are grateful to the following charities for funding their posts: Pears Foundation, Rothschild Foundation (Europe), Awards For All, City Bridge Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sobell Foundation.
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 Forthcoming events
6 March - Jewish Book Week: True Tales
A first for Book Week - specially-commissioned stories from Irma Kurtz, Rachel Holmes, Jon Kanter, Ed Kritzler and Esther David. Tickets £8 - includes a glass of wine. Click here for details and tickets.
In conjunction with Jewish Book Week.
14 March - Be famous for a day
There's still time to enter a photo for 'Home and Exile', hosted by Clifton Interiors in Primrose Hill on March 14. Photos will be enlarged and sold at the exhibition to raise money for the New North London Drop-In Centre for Destitute Asylum Seekers. Get snapping now. Click here for details of how to enter.
In conjunction with the Jewish Community Centre for London.
15 March - Plantain, borscht and curry tales
Fried plantain, borscht and curry make up our varied diet in the UK today, and all of them were brought here by immigrant communities. Join the JCC and JCORE for an international food tasting evening with Jewish chef Denise Phillips, Asian cook Kamla Bijilani and Caribbean cook Lennox Thomas.
In conjunction with the Jewish Community Centre for London.
28 March - Optimistic immigrants
A night of film, music, poetry, performance and vodka at the Jewish Museum. This multimedia event explores the lives and adventures of East European immigrants in London. With Paper Cinema, Transylvanian performer Monooka, poets Nela Millic and Jude Rosen, live music by Dunajska Kapelye and exclusive previews from How to Re-establish a Vodka Empire, a feature film about family, history and entrepreneurial spirit. Part of [Polska! Year]
£10 including one drink and a chance to win a Vodka Club membership. Contact the Jewish Museum for details on 020 7284 7384
In conjunction with the Jewish Museum.
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 The Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Registered Charity 281236
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