Being Human, Seeing Humans, Helping Others Feel Human

During Yom Kippur, I offered a sermon about being human this year, challenging us to:

1) See others as human at all times

2) Be human at all times

3) Inspire others to see themselves and those around as human

(For the written version of this sermon, click here)

As I mentioned in the sermon, next week, I've been given an opportunity to attempt part 3 of this challenge by accepting an invitation to go to the border with an interfaith group of clergy from the Chicagoland area to help provide spiritual aid and physical supplies for the human beings stuck in limbo as they seek protection from whence they fled. We will be meeting with individuals and families and we will also be purchasing tents and other supplies for those living on the streets next to the border in vulnerable conditions. Our upcoming holiday of sukkot emphasizes welcoming others and providing for their needs.

Details: We'll be going to the border crossing in Brownsville, TX and the town on the other side of the Rio Grande, Matamoros, where many of the individuals awaiting their trials for entry to the US are living. Our clergy group is traveling with the group PASO - the West-Suburban Action Project - who has developed relationships with local charities in Brownsville who are attempting to address the needs of the hundreds of people living in the streets along the border in Mexico. We will be purchasing tents, sleeping bags and other living supplies to distribute to the people in need.

Background: As part of the Migrant Protection Protocols, the United States policy has shifted in dealing with individuals and families who come to our country seeking asylum. Whereas in the past, people were taken in and allowed to be signed-into someone's custody or in a facility in the US while awaiting their hearings, the current protocols push those people back across their port of entry to await the day of their hearings for asylum. This means people who have fled violence and persecution are expected to wait in Mexico, where there have been little-t0-no resources to provide for their needs. We have been informed that the area we are going, there are about 600 people living in a swath of concrete the size of two basketball courts with no bathrooms, running water, etc. 

To Follow This Trip: I'll likely be posting updates about the trip on my social media - www.facebook.com/rabbimargolis as possible during the days of my travel. Each evening, I hope to post a reflection on the day on this blog. Feel free to friend me to keep up with the trip.  

If You Wish To Help: If you want to help me support the human beings at the border, you can make a donation to Rabbi's Discretionary Fund at Or Shalom - please put in the note "Aid for Human Beings at the Border" and we'll make sure that your donation goes to getting supplies during my trip or supplies for the local charities who are supporting the ongoing efforts to sustain the individuals temporarily living along the border.