Refugee Week 2026 was a wonderful celebration of refugees and people seeking asylum. This year’s theme – courage – felt especially fitting against a backdrop of rising division and increasingly hostile rhetoric and policy.
We were proud to bring together so many communities and groups from across the UK to honour displaced people. Read on to find out what we got up to.
Announcing our first Synagogue of Sanctuary, Finchley Progressive Synagogue, was a real highlight of the week. Photo credit: David Lewis
Introducing the next generation of Jewish refugee activists
Ahead of Refugee Week, we were delighted to host the graduation ceremony for our first Student Refugee Ambassador Programme. Participants heard from the Board of Deputies’ Acting President, Adrian Cohen, as well as people with lived experience of the asylum system who are supported by the Hendon drop-in centre.
It has been a privilege to work with 50 outstanding university students on this pilot programme. Each has committed to putting their Jewish values into action to stand against rising anti-migrant rhetoric and growing division. We can’t wait to see what our 2026/27 cohort will achieve.
Announcing our first Synagogue of Sanctuary
What better time than Refugee Week to introduce our new Synagogue of Sanctuary award? Developed in partnership with City of Sanctuary UK, the awards recognise and promote good practice in Jewish communities that are fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all.
There is so much inspiring work being done with refugees across the Jewish community, but our first winners – Finchley Progressive Synagogue – have truly gone above and beyond. Learn more about their work and how your community can become a Synagogue of Sanctuary.
Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Mayor Zahra Beg (Mayor of Barnet), and Rabbi David Mason (Executive Director, HIAS+JCORE). Photo credit: David Lewis
JUMP: from Westminster to West Sussex
It was a busy week for our JUMP befriending project! We kicked things off with a special Parliament tour and Q&A session with Catherine West MP, giving our group the opportunity to discuss and raise issues with a leading parliamentarian.
On Monday evening we swapped the capital for the South Coast, with team members heading to Brighton and Hove to publicly launch JUMP’s expansion into the city. We were pleased to be joined by supporters, partner organisations, project participants, and members of the BNJC and local Jewish communities.
And that wasn’t all! Our Refugee Week activities concluded with a collaborative art event, bringing together befrienders, young people, and HIAS+JCORE staff to create piece based around the idea of home.
Celebrating JCORE at 50
It’s now five decades since JCORE was founded in 1976. We kicked off our celebrations with a special evening at JW3, launching Not Only for Ourselves, a new book charting our journey leading Jewish action for refugees and racial justice.
Joined by panellists Dr Leroy Logan MBE, Dawn Butler MP, the book’s author Dr Joseph Finlay, and our Honorary President, Dr Edie Friedman, we reflected on JCORE’s history, and the ongoing fight against racism.
Rabbi David Mason (HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director), Dr Leroy Logan MBE, and Dawn Butler MP at our launch event.
Cooking up a feast
Since relaunching in March 2026, Our Open Kitchen has quickly become a monthly highlight. The project brings together women living in local hotels and volunteers to cook, eat, build friendships, and strengthen connections within the community.
As part of our Refugee Week celebrations, participants prepared a delicious feast together, finishing with some excellent baklava.
