Congregation Achduth Vesholom and the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne offered a financial donation to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in its effort to help resettle Afghan refugees in the city.
The pair gathered with Catholic Charities at the Archbishop Noll Center downtown Tuesday for a check presentation. The donation is nearly $22,000, and will go towards the resettlement of 114 refugees from Afghanistan around Fort Wayne.
Congregation Achduth Vesholom Rabbi Meir Bargeron says in Jewish life, it’s a “holy obligation to love the stranger as ourselves.”
“The Jewish people have been counted among refugee populations in the world in every age, from ancient times to this day. So it is a privilege to help our new Afghan neighbors as they settle in Fort Wayne," Bargeron said.
He called the opportunity to work with Catholic Charities to help these refugees a “gift.”
Daniel Florin is the newly-appointed CEO of Catholic Charities in Fort Wayne. He says the goal of the resettlement program is to give the refugees the tools to quickly become self-sufficient, and praised the Jewish community for stepping forward.
“Often it can be difficult to see God’s blessings in times of a humanitarian crisis," said Florin.
"But the solidarity that’s been demonstrated by our brothers and sisters of all faiths is a living witness of caring for those most in need.”
Florin adds that the money will be put to “immediate use” to provide basic needs to the current refugees in Fort Wayne, as well as additional refugees that will eventually make their way to the city.
