Refugee Shabbat 2025 was the biggest and best so far for HIAS+JCORE! Held over the weekend of 28 February – 1 March, it was truly a national event, with communities and groups from Scotland to the South Coast getting involved.
An incredible total of 25 groups signed up – with more than 1,000 people involved this year. We’ve been hugely inspired to see so many communities, groups, and synagogues across the country taking action in solidarity with refugees.
From study sessions to sermons, cook-alongs to cheders, the range of activity undertaken was inspiring.
Partnership
Our partnership work was perhaps the true success story of this year’s project. HIAS+JCORE staff and trustees were pleased to speak at nine communities and events, joining forces with synagogues across the community.
But our collaboration went beyond this. A particular highlight was building on our strong relationship with the Union of Jewish Students, providing engagement pathways for young peoplenationwide. JSOCs across the country received copies of our joint 2025 Refugee Shabbat resource, with HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director David Mason also featuring on UJS’ ‘Yalla’ podcast, and speaking to students at City University.
Leaders from inside and outside the Jewish community also joined with HIAS+JCORE to show their support. We were delighted to work together on powerful messages of compassion with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Progressive Judaism Co-CEO’s Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, and Lord Khan, the Minister for Faith.
Case study: OLAM
It was the perfect way to close Refugee Shabbat 2025: a refugee-chef led cook-along hosted at Migrateful’s incredible kitchen in London. We were delighted to join this special event, organised by OLAM for their London-based aid practitioners, and connect, share our work, and learn from joint experience.
What participating communities said
- 100% of communities stated that they want to participate in Refugee Shabbat 2026
- Communities rated our Refugee Shabbat resource 8.5/10
Many communities also expressed their desire to build on their involvement and grow their refugee support work. This was encapsulated by feedback from South Hampshire Reform Jewish Community: “Thanks for taking this important grassroots initiative, which has helped stimulate discussion and future action.”
With more than 120 million people now displaced, the highest number ever recorded in history, the UK Jewish community’s continued solidarity with refugees is so welcome and important.
Reflecting on the success of Refugee Shabbat 2025, HIAS+JCORE Executive Director Rabbi David Mason said: “I’d like to thank all of the synagogues, communities, and groups across the country who made Refugee Shabbat 2025 so special. Seeing so many individuals put their Jewish values into action and show refugees that they are welcome is deeply inspiring to all of us at HIAS+JCORE.
We’ve got a range of exciting new projects this year, and hope communities across the country can join us. And with Refugee Shabbat growing every year, we invite even more groups to join us in 2026! By signing up, you can show we truly are a community of compassion.”
