The Havurah Sanctuary Committee engages in political action and direct service in its work of welcoming the stranger. 

The committee is currently chaired by Kathy Gordon, Robert Trachtenberg, and Beka Feathers.
 
Much of our Immigrant and Refugee justice work is done in partnership. Alongside other congregations in the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ), we advocate for immigration-related public policy issues. We are part of the national HIAS Welcome Campaign and participate in National Refugee Shabbat and other HIAS actions. In partnership with Catholic Charities & Lutheran Community Services, we provide support to refugees relocating to the Portland area. We also participate in events organized by the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest. 

Our activism has included the following:

• Annual Refugee Shabbat
• Annual Passover Service and Vigil at ICE Headquarters
• Education for Havurah members about immigrant and refugee issues
• Salem Legislative Lobby Day
• Advocacy for legislative and regulatory changes
• Vigils at ICE headquarters and detention sites
• ACLU Legal Observers
• IMIRJ Accompaniment

Havurah is currently sponsoring two families:

• A Guatemalan family seeking asylum
• A refugee family from Afghanistan

Refugee and Immigrant Fund:  A tax deductible fund supporting this work has been created.