JFN Funder Delegation to the U.S.-Mexico Border in Partnership with HIAS

WHEN

June 02 – June 04, 2019

WHERE

San Diego and possibly Tijuana

וְאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

You must love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 10:19

On the United States-Mexico border, those seeking entry to the United States face enormous challenges and complications in a rapidly-changing environment.

Jewish Funders Network and HIAS are convening a two-day delegation for funders and foundation professionals to bear witness to the situation at our border, deepen our knowledge, sharpen our analysis of the issues, and strategize Jewish communal responses.

The home base for this experience is San Diego, the city with the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. HIAS resettles refugees in San Diego in partnership with Jewish Family Service of San Diego, an agency that also provides legal representation to asylum seekers.

Potential sites that the group may visit include the shelter for asylum seekers run by Jewish Family Service; an Operation Streamline hearing; and the Consulate General of Mexico. In addition to briefings with HIAS’ leadership — including legal experts and advocates — we will also meet with local organizations that work with asylum seekers, as well as meeting with asylum seekers themselves. Depending on political and security conditions, we may or may not cross the border into Tijuana. Safety will be our top priority.

Cost: $750 per person.

Space is limited to 20 participants, and will be offered at a first-come-first-served basis.

Logistics:

We will meet in San Diego on the evening of Sunday, June 2, for dinner in the Leichtag Commons, hosted by the Leichtag Foundation. We'll get acquainted and begin the learning experience.
The trip will take place on Monday and Tuesday, June 3 and 4, with San Diego as home base.
Both days will begin early and will involve travel around San Diego.
Travel to and from San Diego and hotel accommodations are at the expense of participants; the trip fee will cover some meals, group transportation, and some snacks and drinks, particularly during travel periods. (One or more meals may not be covered; details will be forthcoming.)
A block of rooms is available for this delegation at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside at a discounted group rate. Book your room at the group rate >> (The rooms are reserved by HIAS, but you will provide your own credit card to the hotel to pay for the room upon arrival.)