13 February 2018

Liberal Judaism has joined all other denominations of Judaism in a powerful international cross-communal response to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

The response is being spearheaded by World Jewish Relief, IsraAid, the JDC and the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Response (JCDR) – the first time that the leading global Jewish international humanitarian agencies have worked together in such a manner.

The rapid exodus of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh has resulted in a critical humanitarian crisis. Nearly 860,000 refugees are now living in official or makeshift refugee camps across Cox’s Bazaar in southern Bangladesh.

Together, the agencies will provide essential non-food items to the most vulnerable refugee families, primarily women and girls, breastfeeding or pregnant mothers and child-led households. They will distribute emergency packages; containing hygiene and sanitary products, blankets, essential clothing and mosquito nets. They also aim to provide mobile primary healthcare to parts of the camps that are not currently being accessed by existing services.

Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Danny Rich said: “The Rohingya humanitarian crisis brings back chilling memories of what has happened to the Jewish people at many points in our history, which makes it even more vital that we do all we can to help them.

“We can often feel powerless when we see a tragedy unfold many miles from home, which is why Liberal Judaism welcomes this effort from World Jewish Relief so that our members, and those from across the entire Jewish community, can donate to help some of the world’s most vulnerable and persecuted people.”

The response is also being strongly supported by Orthodox, Reform and Masorti rabbis, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Reform’s Senior Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.

Please click here to donate to this important cause.