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JCORE Newsletter
March 2011 / 5771 |
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| Dear Supporter,
We didn't plan it that way, but there's a common theme running through this month's newsletter - destitution. One way of lifting asylum seekers out of dire poverty is to allow them to work, and so we've just launched the first of a series of JCORE charters to present to the Immigration Minister later this year. But in the meantime, this desperate community needs our support.
Please take the time to read on, and help if you possibly can. Thank you!
Dr Edie Friedman,
Executive Director |
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News
Rabbis sign up to JCORE campaign
 | | Rabbis Jonathan Wittenberg, Danny Rich and David Mitchell |
Rabbis Jonathan Wittenberg, Danny Rich and David Mitchell - representing the Masorti, Liberal and Reform movements - last week signed JCORE's Rabbis' Charter against asylum destitution. This calls on the government to allow asylum seekers the right to work after they have been in the UK for six months.
Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, said: "Treatment of the poor and vulnerable is a fundamental Jewish responsibility, and JCORE has taken a lead in reminding the community of this."
The rabbis hope many more will add their signatures to this, the first in a series of charters from the Jewish community. Next to come - an employers' charter. Do you know anyone who would be interested?
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SOS Special Appeal
From time to time JCORE is asked to help with pressing needs for survivors of human rights violations and cruelty.
Recently we have had two little boys with no clothes or shoes, a woman with just a pair of flip flops in November, many individuals with only the clothing they had on and several babies with no bedding or cots.
Some of the atrocities these people have suffered is beyond heartbreaking. We are told that the impact of our support goes far further than keeping people clothed and has a profound impact on their morale.
How you can help:
- Donate online (select 'special appeal' from the list of appeals) or send us a cheque, made payable to JCORE, stating clearly that you want your donation to go to this appeal.
- Add your name to our emergency email list, so that we can contact you about emergency appeals of this nature for specific items for individuals.
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Fear and Hope
Bleak report on UK attitudes to race and immigration
New research by Searchlight Educational Trust has revealed deep resentment towards immigration, a widespread fear of Muslims and potential support for a respectable right-wing party (though the sample of Jewish respondents held more progressive views).
The report concludes that 'economic pessimism is the key driver for fear and hate in society'. The research is already being used to understand and tackle the rise of right-wing nationalism and extremism in Britain, and will help Hope not Hate to campaign against the BNP in the May elections. Click here to find out more. |
JCORE at Jewish Book Week
Guardian feature writer and columnist Gary Younge debated identity politics with American counterpart, Jeffrey Kaye, at this year's JCORE event entitled Who Do We Think We Are?, chaired by author and journalist Hannah Pool.
The speakers offered three rich and positive perspectives on multiculturalism, and about the difficulties refugees experience in both societies. We couldn't have chosen a better panel to help us navigate our way through these complex issues.
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Big Yellow does it again
OK, it's not glamorous - but this Big Yellow Storage unit in East Finchley is a lifeline for JCORE Support. And they've just given us yet another six months of free storage! This means we can run appeals knowing that we have somewhere to store big donations - like last Mitzvah Day, above, when we were given over 3000 items.
We are hugely grateful to Big Yellow for supporting us for over two years now. If you or your friends use them for your storage, please say how much you appreciate what they do for JCORE. |
Please Passover the rice!
When you come to clear out your cupboards this Pesach, instead of throwing out your rice, why not donate it to a destitute asylum seeker and their family. Each month we help support over 200 men, women and children who travel from all over London to get desperately-needed food parcels. How you can help: - Either bring your UNOPENED bags of rice to one of our rice collection points. Contact Caroline , or call her on 07956 351 633 for details of your nearest collection point.
- Or donate the cost of a packet of rice.
Also urgently needed:
We are also looking for venues to place rice donation boxes. Please ask your shul, school, sports club or nursery if they would take a box. We promise to collect the boxes before Pesach! If you can help please let us know. |
Jewish Community Centre gets JCORE training
 JCORE delivered its first external befriending course last month, when Laura Maxwell trained a group of eight volunteers for the JCC's Darfuri Women's Befriending Programme. Our training got the thumbs-up from all concerned - "a really thorough and professional training day", "friendly, well-structured and useful".
To find out about the Darfuri Women's project, please contact Vicky at the Jewish Community Centre for London.
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Volunteering
Desperately seeking drivers
Could you spare a couple of hours a month to help collect and deliver donations of basic goods for asylum seekers and refugees? We really need help to get donations of clothing, children's shoes and toys, toiletries and nappies directly to those who desperately need them. All you need is a car and a willingness to load and drive it from Finchley to Hackney, Colindale, East Finchley or Holborn. If you can help - once or regularly - please contact caroline@jcore.org.uk |
Date for your diary
Sunday June 26:
JCORE/JCC BABY FAIR & NAPPY CHALLENGE in aid of destitute asylum seekers. Don't miss it! |
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 The Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Registered Charity 1132666 
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