National politics may not be friendly to refugees, but a San Diego nonprofit took time Wednesday to welcome ten extended families with a traditional American potluck dinner.
Iraqi kebob mixed with African delicacies and American pizza as the families shared dinner with staff and board members of Jewish Family Service of San Diego at the organization’s campus in Kearny Mesa.
A blessing over the food was read in English, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Swahili.
“When you have food, you have everything,” said one refugee. “When you have food, you have power.”
One family had arrived from Indonesia just 22 days ago after being turned back in the initial hours of President Trump’s abortive refugee ban.
Michael Hopkins, CEO of Jewish Family Service, told the families that while “sometimes America does not appear welcoming” his organization was committed to helping.
“This was an opportunity to say how happy we are to have you here,” he said.
Hopkins noted that Jewish Family Service started in 1918 by helping Jewish refugees stranded in Tijuana. The organization has settled 3,800 refugees of all backgrounds since 2005.
“For literally 100 years we’ve been welcoming people into our country,” he said.
