A senior rabbi with a history of interfaith work has been appointed as head of two refugee agencies.
Rabbi David Mason of Muswell Hill Synagogue in North London was appointed as the first Executive Director of HIAS+JCORE on Thursday.
The two charities, formerly known as The Jewish Council for Racial Equality and HIAS in the UK, have long histories of supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
The charities, who joined forces in June, say they are seeking to significantly enhance the British-Jewish community’s response to issues of refugees and racial justice.
Taking up his new post, Rabbi Mason will leave his Muswell Hill role after over 14 years. Born in Edinburgh, he previously served at Kingston Synagogue in South West London. An expert in social issues, he holds several degrees including a BSc and MSc in Econometrics from the London School of Economics and a Masters in Conflict Resolution in Divided Society from King's College London.
Commenting on his latest appointment, Rabbi Mason said, “Through my years of service as a Rabbi, I have worked closely with JCORE and its Founder and Executive Director, Dr Edie Friedman.
“I have a passion for a Jewish narrative that values and prioritises welcome and humane treatment of others, including those who seek refuge and asylum in the UK.
“I am excited to develop our relationship with HIAS, to expand and deepen our work. I look forward to growing the impact of an organisation with a vital and proud place in Anglo-Jewry and the wider world," he continued.
Dr Edie Friedman, who founded JCORE in 1976 said, “I’m confident that the new relationship with HIAS will ensure that social justice remains at the heart of Jewish values, thus also reinforcing a positive Jewish identity, both for ourselves and for the wider society. I look forward in my new role as Honorary President to support the new leadership team in developing this partnership.”
JCORE chairperson Adam Rose said, “I am delighted that Rabbi Mason is joining the HIAS+JCORE team as its new Executive Director. David has a long-standing commitment to refugees and anti-racism, and it is great to know that all the excellent work that Dr Edie Friedman has done for these causes over the years will be continued by someone with his experience and insight. He has a big act to follow, and I am confident that the organisation will grow under his leadership.”
HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield added, “We are excited to welcome Rabbi David Mason to his new role as Executive Director of HIAS+JCORE in the UK, as we continue our work to join our two organisations with long histories of supporting forcibly displaced people. We are confident that working alongside Rabbi Mason’s experience and local leadership will significantly strengthen the Jewish response to racial equality and to the global refugee crisis.”
JCORE has worked both inside and outside the Jewish community to campaign on race and asylum issues for over four decades. The charity argues that concern for social justice should be an integral part of Jewish identity and interaction with the rest of society. Alongside its education work, it also provides practical support for displaced people, and encourages Black-Asian-Jewish community dialogue.
HIAS was founded over a century ago as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in New York City, largely supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe. Today it continues to help refugees across the world.
