Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis
Contents
In addition to policy advocacy, the Synagogue Coalition has promoted community campaigns and activism towards legislative and regulatory changes to raise migration quotas, increase funding for immigrant support, mandate administrative transparency, reduce obstacles to permanent residence, and increase protections for immigrants awaiting citizenship. 2
Background
The Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis is a group of 36 synagogues and Jewish nonprofit organizations advocate left-of-center immigration policies for immigrants and refugees inside the United States. 1 The coalition was first created in 2016 with support from HIAS, formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, 3 a network of roughly 400 Hebrew congregations across the United States that promote expansionist immigration policy and advocacy. 3
The Synagogue Coalition has also promoted left-of-center policy towards social policy and economics while also partnering with non-Jewish religious and secular service organizations. 3 The coalition claims to have over 25,000 synagogue-based members as of 2026. 3
Membership
Listed synagogues and faith-based organizations that are members of the Coalition include the B’nai Jeshurun and Ansche Chesed synagogues; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. 1
Member synagogues and organizations within the Coalition must send at least one representative to meetings to report back to the organization on items being considered by the Coalition, including all special initiatives; report back to the coalition on the member organization’s interest in specific coalition initiatives, including all special initiatives; encourage the organization’s congregants to participate in response teams as issues arise; help coordinate communications when the coalition seeks to put out information; provide input on how money raised shall be used; engage in the work of the coalition and the activities the coalition supports; and engage their congregation in those activities. 4
Activities
Members of the Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis engage in advocacy towards promoting liberal expansionist immigration and permissive asylum policies within the United States. In addition, the group offers legal services for migrants or those awaiting citizenship status. As of 2026, the Coalition and its member groups work alongside HIAS (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) to provide legal experts and immigration lawyers to assist in the citizenship process, protect migrants’ legal status, and file legal action on behalf of asylum seekers. 3
As of 2023, the Coalition and its member groups developed a series of education campaigns and direct volunteer services to assist migrants and asylum seekers to provide information on the legal process to gaining citizenship, providing community initiatives to assist migrant communities, and providing funding to scholarships for DACA (deferred action on childhood arrivals) students in state universities. It has also taken part in community activism by organizing marches and taken part in protest movements to support immigrant communities and asylum seekers. 1 3 3 3 3
It also provides direct services for refugees and undocumented immigrants with, educational information, financial resources, material possessions, legal assistance, and personal support in seeking jobs and housing throughout the immigration and resettlement process. 5
Lobbying
Coalition members have previously reached out to members of Congress and elected officials to demand policy changes, legislation to promote migrant rights, and advocated government action to quicken the citizenship processes for asylum seekers. 3 3
Member organizations have also pushed for policy and regulatory changes to raise immigration quotas, increase funding for immigrant services, mandate administrative transparency, reduce obstructions to citizenship, and protect asylum seekers whilst awaiting citizenship. 2