Bristol J-Soc
The Mensch Initiative is UJS’s social action project encouraging Jewish students to engage with the refugee crisis.
This campaign is born out of the passing of Motion CO3 at UJS Conference 2017 ('Campaign to Reopen the Dubs Amendment') which notes:
- From December 1938 to August 1939 Britain allowed 10,000 Jewish children on the Kindertransport to seek refuge from Nazi Germany, including Alf Dubs, a leading campaigner for refugee rights.
- Exodus 22:20 teaches us that 'you shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for
you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' - There are currently 95,000 unaccompanied refugee children living in Europe.
- In 2016 more than 25,800 unaccompanied children risked their lives to reach Europe.
(Read the full motion text in the link above.)
In February 2018 we shared three Instagram posts from different accounts that you may wish to follow: @findinghome, @helprefugeesuk and @refugees. By following these accounts, you will be able to keep this issue on your radar in your daily Instagram scrolling.
As well as raising awareness, we are asking for action.
Our resource guide includes ideas of how you can get involved, including holding donation drives, volunteering at a drop in centre and writing to your MP about doing more for refugees and asking them to support the Family Reunification Bill – a template for you to use, and details on how to find your MP, can be found in the resource guide.