Washington Synagogue Becomes Haven For Refugees

Temple Beth Hatfiloh

By JTA August 30, 2018

(JTA) — A synagogue in Olympia, Washington has become a haven for refugees.

Temple Beth Hatfiloh, a Reconstructionist congregation with some 175 member families, announced on Wednesday evening that it has become a sanctuary congregation, working in conjunction with other regional faith communities and immigrant rights organizations.

“In support of immigrant rights, the congregation pledges to participate in actions up to and including physical sanctuary,” the synagogue said in an announcement.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Seth Goldstein, said at an opening event on Wednesday evening that his congregation had been working on the plan for months.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have detained more 1,600 undocumented immigrants in Washington State, local news station KIRO 7 reported.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected]

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO