Temple Sholom is taking the first steps to organize our community to support Ukrainian Jewish newcomers when they arrive in the Vancouver area.  Over the next many weeks, we will form volunteer “welcome circles” of 6–8 people each. Each group of volunteers may be matched with a newcomer family to provide social support that may include help accessing government services, registering children for school, navigating the transit system, providing rides to run errands, offering invitations to social events or Shabbat dinner, etc.

Each welcome circle will be designed to include volunteers with a diversity of skills and availability, to ensure that each newcomer family can be supported fully, as needed.  Newcomer families will be extremely vulnerable, and we will work closely with local social services and settlement groups to ensure their safety. We have been participating in a working group of the broader Vancouver Jewish community to coordinate efforts and services.

Please use the form below to indicate your skills and offers of support. We will be in touch when we know more information about the formal application process, training, and how matching will take place.

Volunteer Form: