Rabbi Dame Julia Neuberger, DBE: in abundance

“… for you know the heart of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” How often that verse, or some parallel to it, is repeated in the biblical and rabbinic literature. That has an immediate read across to how we should treat asylum seekers and refugees in the UK in our time. We have the instruction—all we need to do is get on with it.

Our role as Jews is to mitigate desperation, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give encouragement, mentoring, help, advice, and—where we can—employment or at least daytime activity. It is not only about money. It is about time, energy, love and compassion—and, of course, fellow feeling.

And that is what Ester had in abundance. She understood. We can learn from her understanding, and from her work. Our responsibility is to take it forward.