Help our synagogue aid a family seeking asylum

 

 

 

 

Whoever saves a single life, it is as if they had saved the whole world.

—The Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:5

 

(Top photo: Acosta-Molina family at EMJC Sukkot celebration this fall, with EMJC Rabbi Sam Levine and member Marjorie Sanua, liaison to the family. Close-up: daughters Nicol and Madai welcomed new baby sister Kathyna last month.)

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After two exhausting and frightening years waiting in Mexico, the Acosta-Molina family -- young mom and dad Katy and Misael, along with daughters Nicol, now age 8 and Madai, 5, arrived in the United States last March as legal asylum seekers. And last month, the family was overjoyed to welcome into the world their third child, Kathyna. In Brooklyn, New York, the East Midwood Jewish Center is honored and privileged to help support not just one life, but this entire, beautiful family.

 

Victims of severe gang violence in Honduras, the Acosta-Molina family was forced to flee in the dead of night. Their lives were threatened in 2018, yet Honduran authorities said they could not provide protection. The family rode buses and walked, penniless, from Honduras through Guatemala and Mexico. They were detained at the US border by the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Trying to abide by US law, the family struggled in primitive community shelters in Mexico, in extremely dangerous neighborhoods where migrants were often attacked, kidnapped and murdered. The family, including the children, witnessed this violence. 

 

Border journalist and East Midwood Jewish Center member Debbie Nathan met the family while reporting on Trump’s controversial “Remain in Mexico” program. Nathan organized a mutual aid fund to help them obtain warm clothing in winter, a fan in summer, medicine, food, and other necessities. A HIAS office in Mexico was tireless in providing them with additional assistance. Katy, Misael, Nicol and Madai survived until the newly-elected presidential administration temporarily canceled the Remain in Mexico program earlier this year, allowing thousands of people into the United States. The Acosta-Molina family was then able to cross the border from Mexico and reunite with relatives in New York City.

 

Katy and Misael want to achieve financial independence and get on their feet without help. But they are are still waiting for work permits. They qualified for them months ago, but US immigration officials have inexplicably held back the permits from thousands of deserving immigrants in the United States.  The issue is now in court for those thousands, and meanwhile the family awaits their scheduled asylum hearing. Daughters Nicol and Madai are recovering from the trauma they suffered, and they’re enrolled in a bilingual program at a public elementary school. They’re making great progress. Little sister Kathyna was born in October. 

 

Since the Acosta-Molina family arrived in New York,  East Midwood Jewish Center has stepped up with material and financial help, as well as tutoring for Nicol and Madai. The family is truly becoming part of the synagogue community -- and part of America.

 

We sincerely hope that you will join us: everyone, nationwide, all religions or none, member or not of the EMJC! At this point, additional financial support is needed so this beautiful young family can continue to resettle with secure housing and basic needs as they wait for their case to be heard in the courts. As they enthusiastically become New Yorkers and Americans, Katy, Misael, Nicol, Madai and Kathyna would also love to hear from you with any words of encouragement or questions you might have.

 

Please help East Midwood Jewish Center continue to support the Acosta-Molina family with donations through this Go Fund Me site.

If you prefer to use EMJC's dedicated website, please use this link: https://emjc-832180.square.site/
Once at the link, scroll down to "Rabbi Sam Levine Discretionary Fund" and put a note in the comment box, specifying that your donation is for the "Family Seeking Asylum," or "Acosta-Molina Family." 

Either way you donate, all contributions will go directly to EMJC’s designated “Acosta-Molina Fund” and are tax-deductible as charitable donations.