Sinai's City of Sanctuary
Welcoming strangers is of particular concern for us as Jews and is why Sinai Synagogue in Leeds is supporting the City of Sanctuary initiative. City of Sanctuary is national movement of people and organisations committed to building a culture of welcome and hospitality for people who have come to the UK seeking safety.
The seeds of Sinai’s engagement with City of Sanctuary were planted at Shavuot in 2010 when members considered the issues affecting asylum seekers today and reflected on the history of Jews as refugees in need of asylum. The launch of Leeds City of Sanctuary in November 2010 inspired the synagogue’s involvement in a wider faith response. In January 2011 Sinai hosted a meeting at which over 100 people from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities gathered to explore ways of becoming more involved with City of Sanctuary. Through presentations and interviews, participants learned more about the asylum process and the experience of refugees today. The room hummed with conversation as people got to know their neighbours and discussed what they and their communities could do.
Sinai recognises the imperative to welcome strangers and demonstrated its commitment by inviting asylum seekers and refugees to a meal at the synagogue during Pesach. Congregants and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening together at the time of year when Jews celebrate their freedom from oppression. Freedom is a recurrent theme in our texts and prayers, and, as Sinai members ate and talked with people whose struggle is continuing today, their obligation as Jews became more apparently relevant.
At this Pesach meal, individual friendships were forged and a community commitment cemented. Subsequently, among other initiatives, Sinai invited refugees to their production of Fiddler on the Roof. After seeing the show, Tiffy Allen, National Coordinator of City of Sanctuary wrote: "It was such a pleasure to be there, and the sense of 'tradition' and engaging with a moving piece of shared history was palpable as well as hugely enjoyable - a mix of tears and joy in the very best sense..... you also touched a deep chord in many of us, and the inclusion of City of Sanctuary was a real privilege".
But, the privilege goes both ways. Pippa Brook, a Sinai member is also a member of the Leeds City of Sanctuary Steering Group. She says that her own life has changed immeasurably since becoming involved "I certainly don’t feel as though I am helping needy people. On the contrary, I have made new friends from different cultures and faiths; I've learned so much and am having great fun in the process".
People from throughout the UK are building their own City of Sanctuary groups. Pippa would love to encourage Reform Synagogue members to find out more and to think about what they can do in their own cities. Pippa can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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