ABOUT
Our Story
Origins
In winter 2021–2022, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County invited congregations of all faiths in the Ann Arbor area to participate in their new refugee settlement co-sponsorship program.
In response, Beth Israel Congregation and Temple Beth Emeth, assisted by the deft leadership of our founding coordinator Harvey Somers, formed a collaboration which soon expanded to Jewish Congregations Organized for Resettlement (JCOR), comprised of six member organizations: Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan, Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Jewish Cultural Society, and Pardes Hannah along with BIC and TBE. The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor serves as JCOR’s fiduciary.
JCOR works in partnership with JFS, which provides orientation and training and guidance to JCOR volunteers who work under the supervision of a JFS caseworker.
In August 2022, JCOR accepted responsibility to co-sponsor its first family of four from Colombia.
JCOR’s first refugee family arrived in Ann Arbor following an arduous journey from their home in Colombia in August 2022. In less than 12 months, both parents were fully employed, both teenagers had completed their first year of school in the U.S. in good form, and big sister had a summer job. The father earned a driver’s license, and the family purchased a (used) car which saves $700/month that previously paid for contracted transportation to and from work.
Spring 2025
JCOR greeted its new refugee family, a Venezuelan mother and her teenage son, the first week of February. JCOR volunteers helped the mother work through the son’s school registration process and now will focus on the family’s cultural orientation process, the mother’s job search, and putting finishing touches on the family’s furnishings, seasonal clothing, and so on.
JCOR managed to break through the federal maelstrom of decrees, stop-work orders, and funding cessations with the critical assistance of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County which invited JCOR to provide its customary financial and wrap-around programmatic support for this family.
Even fully documented refugees, like JCOR’s families, are vulnerable to unexpected and risky experiences with federal border and immigration agents. JCOR will stand beside Mother and Son to provide reassurance and guidance to manage the political storms that may come their way.
As Jews, virtually all of our ancestors arrived in the United States as immigrants. We know the struggle. We know the perseverance required to adapt and become self-sufficient. Click here if you would like to volunteer to help these newest arrivals.
