Resources To Help Community Members Affected By ICE

As many in the Jewish community are helping organize around the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to leave Minnesota, here is a non-exhaustive list of resources. We’ll update the list as events and resources are shared with us.

Adath Jeshurun Congregation

Adath’s Hesed Purim Pushke Project is ongoing through Gan Shelanu Preschool and PRISM. During the Purim Carnival and Erev Purim, we will be collecting tzedakah to donate to PRISM, which provides dignity-centered resources for food, housing, and other basic needs. If you are a Gan Shelanu household, you can donate through your Pushke box. You can also donate in person at the Purim Carnival or during Erev Purim at Adath, bring in donations to our office, or donate through PRISM or Adath online.

Adath’s Antiracism Committee has dedicated February 2 to supporting ICA (Intercongregation Community Association).

Help deliver food through Community Aid Network MN to those who don’t feel safe leaving their homes.

Food delivery organized by Calvary Church Food delivery to those who don’t feel safe leaving their homes. Go through Cavalry Church directly: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]

Bet Shalom

Bet Shalom is working with ICA to collect food and supplies. If you’d like to learn more, contact Rabbi Thal. Here’s a link to Bet Shalom’s resources for the community.

Beth El Synagogue

Beth El will be delivering meals by partnering with local church. (Contact Rabbi Matt Goldberg for more information.

Collecting food for STEP (Drop food and other supplies off at STEP or make a donation directly to STEP). There’s also a need for clothing, grocery bags, food, and donations.

Memorial Blood Bank will be having a blood donation drive on Feb. 15. Sign up coming soon.

Jewish Community Action

MARCH Minnesota’s mutual aid fund is a resource designed to distribute immediate aid to struggling families.

JCA‘s Action Havurah is a Jewish organizing home and support hub for folks who are doing rapid response, mutual aid, constitutional observing and nonviolent direct action in their home communities.

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota

Many families are feeling fear, uncertainty, and added stress related to increased ICE activity in our communities. JFCS is offering several opportunities this month to support parents, caregivers, and family members, whether you’re looking for a space to process, practical tools for talking with your children, or thoughtful guidance you can read and return to at your own pace.

Virtual processing spaces for parents, caregivers & family members: For shared reflection and emotional support – Sessions will be held Jan. 27, Jan. 29, Feb. 3, and Feb. 5 – click here for more information.

Talking to your children about ICE and immigration: An in-person support session with practical strategies – Join us for a processing space to reflect and share, followed by a practical exploration of tips and strategies. It will be held 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Minnesota Sabes JCC. This event is hosted by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota, PJ Library of Minnesota and Minnesota JCC. Click here for more information.

The Advice Corner: Talking with kids about ICE: Expert guidance you can read anytime – click here to read it.

Minnesota JCC

Jan-Feb. supporting “A Book of My Own” and collecting books for children who may own few or no books. During this time, they are delivering books directly to children who are unable to leave their homes. Books can be dropped to either the Capp or Sabes Center HaLev early childhood centers. HaLev Directors Angie Arnold and Deb Getsug can be contacted if more information is needed.

Mount Zion Temple

The Welcome The Stranger initiative will be collecting new and gently used items, mostly bathroom and bedroom essentials, as well as gift cards and donations for those in need.

Shir Tikvah

Shir Tikvah launched the Yesod Mutual Aid Fund to provide flexible, direct support to individuals and families navigating instability and harm, particularly those most impacted by ICE and the occupation of the Twin Cities.

St. Paul Jewish Federation

Support is available through our Community Chaplaincy Program, led by Rabbi Lynn Liberman, BCC, which offers confidential, compassionate support to individuals and families navigating moments of grief, trauma, and deep uncertainty.

Temple of Aaron

Emergency Funds & Food for Neighborhood House Food Shelves: https://shor.by/ToAFoodDonations 

Temple Israel

We have met with Ella Baker School leadership to learn about their immediate needs and how we can help provide direct support. Serving pre-k through eighth grade, Ella Baker is home to a significant number of immigrant families. Nearly 75% of students have not been attending school because their families are afraid ot leave their homes. “If you are able to help meet their needs, please complete this brief Google form, where their needs are listed, and we will contact you in the coming days.

Additionally, the need for financial assistance for immigrant families is significant. Many families are already behind on rent and utilities because they are not able to work. Are you able to contribute to our Immigration Justice Fund to help support families in need? Under the section: “Select the fund to which you would like to donate,” select the Immigration Justice Fund from the drop-down list.”

YourJewish

Donate to help provide food, rent, and other basic needs for families in need:

“Minnesota is struggling right now. Click here to read a D’var Torah I delivered last week and click here for a statement I helped write and organize from our local Jewish clergy.  I have many neighbors, families from my children’s school, co-workers of my partner Jake, and other local community members in need.  We know people who have been deported and whose families are struggling. We know others who are sheltering at home and unable to work.  The situation is dire and the needs are vast.  I will use 100% of all donated funds to provide direct food, medical, and other basic needs to the families I know who are in need right now as a result of the ICE surge in Minneapolis.”

And the YourJewish Chavurah is supporting 20 families in need. Donate to help provide food, rent and other basic needs: https://www.pledge.to/support-minnesota-immigrants 

More Resources

Today We Are All Minnesota: Mutual Aid For Families

Southwest Minneapolis Response

Support the ICA Foodshelf

Immigration & ICE: What to Know and Where to Get Help

A collection of places to donate through StandWithMinnesota

Defend the 612

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Carer application 

Neighborhood House and El Burrito Mercado are combining strengths to connect culturally relevant foods with Latino families in St. Paul. You can help support a local Latino-owned business and help ensure families have food on the table. Here’s how you can partner with them:

Links to statements:

Minnesota Jewish Clergy

Minnesota Jewish Communal Organizations

Cross-Denominational Jewish Statement