A number of Liberal Judaism rabbis, including CEO Rabbi Charley Baginsky, have signed this important letter in today’s edition of The Times:

Sir, Last week’s unveiling of a new Kindertransport memorial statue in Harwich reminds us of Britain’s duty to welcome refugees, and the consequences of failing to protect those fleeing persecution. Although the circumstances are different today, we hope that Liz Truss can reflect on this history. While far more could have been done at the time, the contrast between the Kindertransport, and the present threat of deportation to Rwanda facing asylum seekers, should bring shame on our country.

The appointment of a new prime minister must lead to a far more compassionate approach to people seeking sanctuary. And if Truss is serious about representing Jewish values, we would encourage her to consider the command to “welcome the stranger” made 36 times in the Hebrew Bible. An important first step would be to abandon her appalling pledges to support and expand the Rwanda plan, and urgently introduce new, accessible, safe routes for refugees to reach safety in the UK.

Dr Edie Friedman, executive director, the Jewish Council for Racial Equality; County Cllr Laurence Brass; Henry Grunwald QC; Habonim Dror; Mia Hasenson-Gross, executive director, Rene Cassin; Professor Francesca Klug; Professor Tony Kushner, Parkes Institute, University of Southampton; Joel Rosen; Sarah Sackman; Adam Wagner; Rabbi Charley Baginsky; Rabbi Rebecca Birk; Rabbi Dr Chazzan Barbara Borts; Rabbi Janet Burden; Rabbi Howard Cooper; Rabbi Janet Darley; Rabbi Colin Eimer; Rabbi Adam Frankenberg; Rabbi Margaret Jacobi; Rabbi Oliver Spike Joseph; Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber; Rabbi Daniel Lichman; Rabbi Natasha Mann; Rabbi Monique Mayer; Rabbi Lea Muhlstein; Rabbi Rene Pfertzel; Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild; Rabbi Zahavit Shalev; Rabbi Jacqueline Tabick; Rabbi Larry Tabick; Rabbi Roni Tabick; Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah; Rabbi Pete Tobias; Rabbi Lee Wax