As anti-immigrant sentiment and antisemitic incidents escalate across the United Kingdom and globally, a burgeoning movement of Jewish university students is charting a course of proactive engagement, choosing to champion the cause of refugees and asylum seekers. This initiative, spearheaded by a collaborative effort between HIAS+JCORE and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), aims to equip young advocates with the essential tools to counter misinformation, challenge hateful discourse, and cultivate robust support networks for individuals seeking safety and refuge.
Genesis of the Student Refugee Ambassador Program (SRAP)
The impetus for this impactful program was significantly influenced by personal encounters. Samantha Lewkowicz, a recent alumna of the University of East Anglia and the Sabbatical Officer for Social Action and Holocaust Education at UJS, found her commitment solidified after hearing firsthand accounts from young refugees and asylum seekers at a HIAS+JCORE event in the summer of 2025. This profound experience galvanized her to initiate a program that would 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," Sam Lewkowicz recounted. "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 Student Refugee Ambassador Program (SRAP) is now concluding its inaugural year, having successfully empowered its participants with the necessary skills to advocate effectively for refugees. The program’s unique approach lies in its ability to seamlessly connect contemporary advocacy efforts with deeply rooted Jewish values and historical narratives, thereby motivating students to support displaced individuals seeking sanctuary in the present day.
Bridging Jewish Values and Humanitarian Action
Yael Peleg, HIAS+JCORE’s Community Engagement Director, emphasized the program’s dual focus. "With this program, we provide students with knowledge about refugees, but also we teach them to be proud of being Jewish," Peleg stated. "They understand our responsibility as Jews and our commitment to creating communities of welcome." This philosophical underpinning is crucial, as it imbues the advocacy work with a sense of historical imperative and moral obligation, drawing parallels between the historical experiences of Jewish people and the current plight of refugees.
The program’s curriculum is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the refugee experience and the complexities of asylum systems. Lewkowicz elaborated on the practical outcomes: "We’ve equipped ambassadors with the ability to challenge discrimination and hateful rhetoric around refugees and asylum seekers. 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 equips students to become informed and articulate advocates within their social circles and wider communities.
Learning and Mobilizing: The SRAP Journey
Throughout the academic year, SRAP participants engaged in a series of immersive learning experiences. They gained invaluable insights by hearing directly from refugees about the multifaceted challenges inherent in the U.K.’s current asylum system. Furthermore, the program facilitated direct engagement with policymakers, including meetings with Members of Parliament and other influential figures, to advocate for the implementation of fair and protective policies for individuals fleeing violence and persecution.
"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 highlights the psychological impact of informed advocacy and the importance of seeing tangible efforts toward systemic change.
Personal Connections and Global Parallels
For Phoebe, a master’s student at King’s College London, originally from Maryland in the United States, her involvement in SRAP brought her journey full circle. Her father’s dedicated volunteer work with his Jewish community in resettling Afghan refugee families in Maryland provided her with a deeply personal connection to the cause. The opportunity to engage in similar advocacy during her studies in the U.K. was one she eagerly embraced.
"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. "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." This personal narrative underscores the intergenerational legacy of displacement and the inherent connection many Jewish individuals feel towards those seeking refuge today.
Phoebe’s observations extend beyond the U.K. context, drawing parallels with the situation in the U.S. She has witnessed firsthand how anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric are adversely affecting refugees and asylum seekers in both countries. She noted the struggles faced by refugees her father assists in the U.S., citing reductions in humanitarian aid and increased bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the U.S. government, alongside the pervasive fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the potential for forced return to dangerous circumstances in Afghanistan. The U.K. is currently grappling with similar debates surrounding the implementation of restrictive policies for 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 articulated. This statement points to the interconnectedness of global challenges and the necessity of cross-border collaboration in addressing them.
Addressing the Data and Context
The urgency of the SRAP’s mission is underscored by current global displacement figures. According to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide reached over 110 million by mid-2023, a figure that continues to rise. This growing population of displaced individuals faces immense challenges, from immediate safety concerns to long-term integration and access to essential services.
In the U.K., the asylum system has been a subject of significant political debate. Recent government proposals have aimed to further restrict access to asylum, with critics arguing that these measures violate international refugee law and humanitarian principles. The rhetoric surrounding these policies often contributes to a hostile environment for asylum seekers, making the advocacy work of organizations like HIAS+JCORE and UJS critically important.
Launch of Refugee Shabbat and Community Engagement
A significant event that brought together students and refugee supporters was the launch of Refugee Shabbat in London on March 12, 2026. This initiative, which also saw parallel events in Los Angeles, served as a powerful platform for raising awareness and fostering community engagement. The event included a cooking demonstration with partner OLAM, highlighting the shared humanity and cultural exchange that can arise from supporting refugees. The image accompanying this report, featuring Sam and Phoebe at the Refugee Shabbat launch, visually encapsulates the intergenerational and diverse nature of this movement.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
With the evident need for dedicated advocates, HIAS+JCORE and UJS are committed to the continuation of the SRAP program for at least the next two academic years. The program’s long-term vision is to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to address the complexities of 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 ambition speaks to the power of grassroots movements and the transformative potential of empowering young people.
Conclusion: A Call for Welcome and Respect
In an era marked by escalating xenophobia and antisemitism, the act of advocating for displaced individuals can be a challenging undertaking. However, the global need for assistance to those fleeing war and persecution has never been more pronounced.
"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," Sam 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 sentiment encapsulates the core message of empathy, dignity, and the universal human right to safety and opportunity. The SRAP program, by fostering informed and passionate Jewish student advocates, represents a vital step towards realizing this vision of a more welcoming and just world.
