On Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10-11:50 a.m., Or Emet will host a Humanistic Shabbat service and presentation focused on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S. The events will take place at the Minnesota JCC Sabes Center Minneapolis, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, Minneapolis. A social time will follow the program.

The service will be led by Eva Cohen, Or Emet’s ritual leader and a Humanistic rabbi in training. Following the service, members of Or Emet’s social action/justice committee and several guest speakers will examine the Biden administration’s new policies at the U.S.-Mexico border, how nongovernmental organizations are advocating and assisting refugees and immigrants, and what we can do to influence policy and legislation.

Presenters will include Michele McKenzie, deputy director of the Advocates for Human Rights; Zack Albun, refugee and immigrant program staff attorney at the Advocates; Peter Dross, vice president of external relations at the Center for Victims of Torture; and Naomi Steinberg, vice president of U.S. policy and advocacy at HIAS.

In accordance with the HIAS Refugee Shabbat 2023 event, Or Emet will dedicate our Shabbat to refugees and asylum seekers.

Those who cannot attend the program in person may join over Zoom. Please register in advance here. In-person attendees must wear a mask indoors and are expected to be up to date on vaccinations or have a same-day negative COVID test.

Or Emet’s events and programs may change per CDC and state guidelines during the pandemic. All updates and changes will be posted in Or Emet’s events calendar.

Or Emet is a secular congregation celebrating and honoring Jewish culture, history and values from a humanistic, inclusive perspective. For more information, email info@oremet.org or visit oremet.org.