As anti-immigrant rhetoric and antisemitism surge across the United Kingdom and globally, a dedicated cohort of Jewish university students is actively challenging these trends by becoming powerful advocates for refugees and asylum seekers. This burgeoning movement, spearheaded by a vital collaboration between HIAS+JCORE and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), is equipping young individuals with the knowledge and skills to counter misinformation, confront hateful discourse, and cultivate a more welcoming environment for those seeking safety.
The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to the profound impact of personal testimonies. Samantha Lewkowicz, a recent graduate from the University of East Anglia and the Sabbatical Officer for Social Action and Holocaust Education at UJS, found her own commitment solidified after hearing directly from young refugees and asylum seekers at a HIAS+JCORE event in the summer of 2025. Inspired by their resilience and the urgency of their situations, Lewkowicz championed the creation of a program specifically designed to engage Jewish university students across the UK.
"We developed this program and weren’t sure there would be any interest, but then 50 students signed up," Lewkowicz recounted, highlighting the initial apprehension and subsequent success of the initiative. "I know how busy students are. Trying to get them involved in anything is a challenge, let alone something where you’re devoting your free time to advocating for refugees and asylum seekers."
The result is the Student Refugee Ambassador Program (SRAP), which has now concluded its inaugural year, having demonstrably empowered its participants to become effective advocates for refugees. SRAP artfully interweaves Jewish values and historical narratives with contemporary issues of displacement, motivating students to champion the cause of individuals seeking refuge from violence and persecution.
Fostering Advocacy Through Education and Shared Values
Yael Peleg, HIAS+JCORE’s Community Engagement Director, emphasized the dual purpose of the SRAP: "With this program, we provide students with knowledge about refugees, but also we teach them to be proud of being Jewish. They understand our responsibility as Jews and our commitment to creating communities of welcome." This approach aims to foster a deep-seated understanding of the ethical imperative to support vulnerable populations, drawing parallels between historical Jewish experiences of displacement and the plight of contemporary refugees.
The program’s curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, equipping ambassadors with practical tools for engagement. "We’ve equipped ambassadors with the ability to challenge discrimination and hateful rhetoric around refugees and asylum seekers," Lewkowicz explained. "When they are out with their friends and the topic comes up, they now have the tools to speak out with facts and evidence-based information." This focus on evidence-based advocacy is crucial in combating the pervasive spread of misinformation that often fuels negative perceptions of refugees.
A Year of Impact: Learning, Lobbying, and Personal Growth
Throughout the academic year 2025-2026, SRAP participants engaged in a series of impactful activities. They gained firsthand insights into the complexities of the UK’s asylum system by learning directly from refugees and asylum seekers. This direct exposure proved invaluable in humanizing the statistics and abstract policy debates, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the lived realities faced by displaced individuals.
Furthermore, the program facilitated direct engagement with policymakers. Ambassadors met with Members of Parliament and other key figures in the field of immigration and asylum, advocating for policies that uphold the rights and dignity of those fleeing conflict and persecution. These interactions provided students with a practical understanding of the legislative process and the challenges of enacting meaningful change.
"Ambassadors are amazed at how much they’ve learned. There is so much misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers," Lewkowicz observed. "It can be daunting to advocate when the media is very negative towards refugees. But knowing there are people at high levels who are making progress gives students the courage to speak up." This sentiment underscores the program’s success in building confidence and resilience among its participants.
Personal Journeys of Connection and Commitment
The SRAP has also resonated deeply on a personal level for many students, forging connections to their own heritage and experiences. Phoebe, a master’s student at King’s College London, originally from Maryland in the United States, found the program to be a full-circle experience. Her father’s involvement in resettling Afghan refugee families in their home community in Maryland had already instilled in her a strong sense of civic responsibility.
"It’s important to me that we as the Jewish community reach out because so many of us are descended from refugees ourselves," Phoebe shared, drawing a powerful parallel between historical Jewish migration and contemporary refugee crises. "I grew up hearing about how my own great grandparents came to the U.S. to escape persecution under the Russian Empire, as well as stories from my friends and neighbors about their own experiences in more recent times because where I’m originally from is one of the most diverse areas in the country, with a high immigrant and refugee population."
Phoebe’s observations highlight a critical intersection: the rise of xenophobia and antisemitism. She noted the alarming parallels between anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric in both the U.S. and the UK. In the U.S., refugees her father assists are grappling with reduced humanitarian aid and increased bureaucratic obstacles, compounded by the constant fear of deportation. Similarly, the UK is navigating contentious debates around policies that could significantly impact the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.
"There’s a lot of overlap between the rise of xenophobia and antisemitism in the U.S. and the U.K. right now, and that’s why it’s important to me to have these conversations with people in both countries, so we can work towards combating it together," Phoebe stated, emphasizing the transnational nature of these challenges and the need for collaborative solutions.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Movement for Refugee Rights
The success of the inaugural year has fueled ambitions for the future of SRAP. HIAS+JCORE and UJS are committed to continuing and expanding the program for at least the next two academic years, recognizing the escalating need for advocates in this critical field. The program is envisioned as a catalyst for nurturing the next generation of leaders dedicated to addressing displacement issues.
"My hope is that the SRAP graduates will take their knowledge and share it with others," Yael Peleg expressed. "Our voices aren’t loud enough at the moment. We need advocates for refugees, and my aspiration is that SRAP will grow in numbers from year to year, creating student grassroots advocacy on campuses." This vision underscores the program’s aim to build a sustainable network of informed and passionate advocates.
The current global landscape, marked by increasing xenophobia and antisemitism, presents a formidable challenge. Yet, the number of people seeking safety worldwide continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), by the end of 2023, over 117 million individuals were forcibly displaced globally, a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian imperative.
"There is still so much more advocacy work to be done for refugees and asylum seekers, and this program is only the beginning of achieving a society where refugees and asylum seekers feel welcomed in our communities," Lewkowicz reflected. "People fleeing war and persecution just want an opportunity to start over with their families. They are regular people just like us who want a normal life. They deserve the same respect as everyone else." This concluding statement encapsulates the core message of the SRAP: that compassion, understanding, and advocacy are essential in building a more just and humane world for all. The Student Refugee Ambassador Program stands as a testament to the power of education, shared values, and collective action in confronting some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time.
