2 October 2018

Leicester City Council has pledged to accept and support at least five child refugees each year, for the next 10 years, after the Sanctuary Sukkot event at Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation (LPJC).

Around 70 people attended, with LPJC’s Rabbi Mark Solomon joined in the Sukkah by Reverend Tom Wilson of the St Philip’s Centre and Imam Shafi Chowdhury of the City Retreat.

The keynote speakers were Ben Abeles – a 93-year-old Kindertransport survivor who became a world-renowned physicist – and a young female refugee from Sudan called Noor who spoke movingly about her recent experiences of conflict and displacement, and finding a safe and welcoming home in Leicester.

Other speakers included young community members Rachel Benn and Solomon Diamond who spoke about the refugees in their family.

Mark (pictured) said: “Sukkot is about leaving safety and remembering our origins. As Jews we think back to our stories of ancient times of fleeing from slavery and persecution, and yet finding in that a place of hope for the future. We think back 80 years when Jewish children and adults and other people fled persecution… thank God they found their Sukkah, their place of safety.

“Right now other people are fleeing and crying out for safety – and it’s our responsibility to provide that.”

The commitment to take at least five refugees from war-torn countries each year was made by Councillor Sarah Russell, the Deputy City Mayor with responsibilities for children and young people’s services.

She said: “I believe we are a welcoming city and that is why Leicester is going to commit to be part of this campaign. We are committing to take five children a year but we hope to be able to work with communities and government to be able to take more.

“This national campaign and how we can support them locally is key. It needs communities, it needs to be fully funded and it needs people like yourselves.”

There were many other Leicester councillors at the event, representing all political parties and including Councillor Ross Grant, the Lord Mayor of Leicester.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth spoke eloquently, pledging his support and telling how he was moved to tears listening to Ben Abeles read out a letter sent to him in 1939 by his father, whom he had parted with for the last time.

The event was organised by LPJC members Claire Jackson, Michele Benn, Helen Pearson, Naomi Diamond and Helen Lentell.

* The forthcoming edition of lj today will feature details on all the Sanctuary Sukkot events that took place at Liberal communities across the UK.