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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.
Fall 2025 Update & An Important Request
JCOR’s current refugee family from Venezuelan are doing well, making solid progress toward independence including Mother’s permanent full-time job and Son’s steady progress in school. They are doing their part. We now are asking you to help us help them take the next important step.
The family is in critical need of reliable transportation. As we all know, a family’s independence relies on mobility and, with the dearth of mass transportation in our area, car ownership is an essential asset. This is especially true when one lives a few miles east of Ann Arbor but has full-time employment even more miles west of Ann Arbor which is Mother’s situation.
As she takes steps to secure her driver’s license, we are asking JCOR friends and allies to help locate a reliable vehicle the family can acquire at no or very low ($6,000 or less) cost. Please think of a car you or a relative or friend can do without. Perhaps a neighbor will want to contribute a vehicle as happened last year when a JCOR member’s neighbor gifted an inherited Toyota to our refugee Syrian family of five.
With your help, Mother and Son will be able to travel safely and reliably to school, work, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and all the other essential destinations that everyday life requires.
Timing is important, so please write soon to jcorannarbor@gmail.com with suggestions for a reliable no- or low-cost car.
Going forward, you may already be aware that the White House is still planning to keep refugee arrivals limited, perhaps as little as ten percent of previous levels. It also is talking publicly about a substantial refocus of refugee populations that may be admitted. JCOR stands ready to serve as we continue to work with Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County and closely watch HIAS and general media updates.
Like all who brave the hardship and uncertainties of immigrating to the United States as refugees, Mother and Son are amazing, resilient people. They, along with all JCOR volunteers, are deeply grateful for your continued interest and support.
