Local Multi-Faith Group Helping Asylum Seekers At The Border

In a time of turmoil, three different Chicagoland faith organizations – Jewish, Christian and Muslim - are coming together to not only change the country’s narrative about “the other,” but also to provide help for those who are suffering across America.

Their actions demonstrate the importance of building connections across diverse backgrounds. In January of 2018, Congregation Hakafa, the Winnetka Congregational Church and the Muslim Community Center of Morton Grove embarked on a journey to Houston, Texas, to rebuild homes that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. They’re ready to do humanitarian service again soon and appreciate their deep bond of friendship.

“It was a really moving experience,” said Asif Masood of Chicago. “We got to know each other and didn’t want that to be a one-time thing.”

“It was an incredibly powerful trip,” agreed Reverend Jeff Braun of Winnetka. “We addressed human needs together, and helped rebuild three different homes with SBP (St. Bernard Project,) a disaster relief nonprofit.”

To expand their deepening relationship, an interfaith Walk/Run event with the Sikh and Baha’i community was held last October, 2019. Over 100 participants gathered from all faiths, eager to connect and learn about each other. The gathering also raised money over $2000 for a nonprofit cause, Facing History & Ourselves (www.facinghistory.org), which creates tools and resources to fight bigotry and hatred in the schools.

It was time to find another cause to serve humanity. Hidden away from cameras and forgotten by much of the country, the faith leaders recognized the need to help asylum seekers at our border. On February 2-5th, 2020, a group from all three religious groups are planning to volunteer with Team Brownsville, a nonprofit, to provide food for asylum seekers to the Brownsville/Matamoros border. They plan to feed an estimated 2000 asylum seekers, who are waiting to enter our country.

"Our administration has created this unnecessary crisis," said Rabbi Bruce Elder. "These people are trying to do nothing other than get into this country legally."

It's a crisis affecting the lives of people of color from this region. Men, women, children, previously from Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Cuba and other places, who are escaping violence in their homeland. They have sponsors here but are still unable to cross over. They are living in a makeshift tent city in Matamoros, Mexico, vulnerable to violence, living for months at a time in all types of weather.

“Why as religious people are we doing this?” asks Elder. “How can we not be? How can we call ourselves religious and in the name of morality allow this to continue? It’s morally unconscionable. I cannot ignore it. "

“I’m a child of immigrants,” said Masood. “I want all of humanity to have a chance. Any of us can be in that situation. When we get to know each other, then we start to care and accept each other’s differences. We can work together and be with each other.”

Elder agrees. "This is not a Jewish thing. It’s an inter-faith holy thing... to confront ourselves and help others who are suffering. One of the border agents said to us, ‘You realize if you don’t feed them, they’ll go away.’ Interpret that any way you’d like.”

To prepare for this interfaith journey, a small scouting group, led by Elder, Braun and Masood, arranged a preliminary visit to the border last October 28th, 2019.

Don Pollak, a Hakafa volunteer from Wilmette remarked, “It was incredible that over the course of about twelve hours, we were able to shop, prepare a nutritious meal, transport the food across the border and serve more than 1100 people. It was hard work, but very rewarding to realize how much impact a few individuals can have.”

Peter Office, another Hakafa volunteer from Wilmette said, “You see the camp and realize the people are not here because they want to be here. They’re escaping mistreatment, crime. They carry their children or hold their hands, ride on backs of trucks to the border because they want to seek a better life, a safe life. Everyone we served was polite and thankful for the meal. We’re helping people survive.”

“They shouldn’t have to go through this,” explained Masood. “I was one of the guys dishing out the food. How much do you put on someone’s plate? You’re portioning out how much someone gets to eat that day.”

“On the flip side,“ Pollak said, “it was heartbreaking to see the conditions… Those fortunate enough to have tents have only minimal protection… many sleep on the ground. We saw only a handful of porta-potties for reportedly 2000 living in the camp. I understand that people are toileting in the hills, or in the Rio Grande. (Where bathing is also done). Despite the uncertainties in the lives of the individuals, the ones I interacted with were extremely patient and pleasant in the long lines for food.”

“There is little these people can do for themselves,” said Elder. “Not only are traffickers trying to kidnap and trap people, but there are Mexican lawyers promising to help people get asylum and then just taking their money. They are stuck in Matamoros, Mexico, considered to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world, without food, shelter, running water and the basic necessities of life.”

In preparing to feed a massive number of people for their upcoming trip, diligent research and extensive planning is required.

“How do we divide work among a group with people from each organization?” said Office, as he shared what’s involved. “How many people do we need to do grocery shopping for today’s food, and for tomorrow? We’re creating meals for over 1200 people each day. You’ve got to plan – how many vegetables, pieces of fruit, what protein to prepare. Since none of us are professional cooks, there’s a lot of research of finding the right quantities and considering what will appeal to the tastes of the asylum seekers. How do you cook with limited time and facilities? We will test recipes for cooking in mass quantity.”

Elder added, “At least asylum seekers will know that people here care, and we’re keeping them alive."

To contribute or volunteer in Brownsville, Texas, contact TeamBrownsville.org, a 501-c3 nonprofit. To help immigrants who have already legally arrived in our local communities and need help, visit Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, www.ICDIChicago.org or call 773-779-6011.

NOTE: (The Economist, November 2019) - Studies have shown that immigration has provided a boon to the economies of those countries providing asylum.