London synagogue to house Syrian refugee family
London synagogue to house Syrian refugee family
A London synagogue is fundraising £50,000 to house a Syrian family in a disused caretaker's flat.
3 min read
The UK has pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020 [AFP]
A London synagogue is raising funds for renovation works that will allow it to accommodate a Syrian refugee family.
The South London Liberal Synagogue [SLLS], which is based in a former school, says it needs £50,000 to convert a disused caretaker's flat on the premises into a two-bedroom flat.
The South London Liberal Synagogue [SLLS], which is based in a former school, says it needs £50,000 to convert a disused caretaker's flat on the premises into a two-bedroom flat.
"This is a very personal issue for a lot of our members," Alice Alphandary, chair of the synagogue, is quoted by The Guardian as saying.
"There is a sense that we as Jews have benefited from sanctuary in the past. For example, my father was a refugee in the 1950s. Now we want to repay that welcome to a new generation."
Situated in the London Borough of Lambeth, which has pledged to house 20 Syrian refugee families, the synagogue is part of a broader organisation that campaigns on behalf of Syrian refugees and others.
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There is a sense that we as Jews have benefited from sanctuary in the past. For example, my father was a refugee in the 1950s. Now we want to repay that welcome to a new generation |  |
According to Alphandary, the plan has galvanised many of the synagogue's 220 adult members, including those who are not usually as active.
"People see it as a great opportunity to make a difference," she said.
Since making its pledge in 2015, Lambeth borough has so far housed six Syrian families. This includes a family of six who are living in the grounds of Lambeth Palace – the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
In July, the Archbishop and UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd unveiled the community refugee sponsorship scheme, which urged faith and community groups to help resettle Syrian refugees. This drive was intended to supplement the Syrian vulnerable persons resettlement scheme, under which the government pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020.
| Read also: Will UK meet target to Resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees? |
Despite this initiative, however, only two Syrian families have been housed under the scheme in the last six months. Authorities say that despite the enthusiasm of community groups, the rigorous vetting process and safety checks required have slowed the scheme's progress.
This also requires that houses meet certain standards and be self-contained in order for the council to agree to pay rent on behalf of the families.
As part of the plans underway at the SLLS, the old caretaker's flat will receive a new kitchen and bathroom for the incoming family to use.
"It has to be somewhere that we ourselves would be happy to live in," Alphandary said.
The synagogue is set to launch its fundraising drive in February, with a donations page that will be posted to its website next week.
