NJ Coalition for Afghan Refugees

Thank you to for delivering these food items to Afghan families in Elizabeth just before the Thanksgiving holiday!

We are thankful for all of the wonderful individuals, schools, volunteer groups, and organizations that have poured their hearts into helping the Afghan Newcomers settle into life in NJ.

We hope that everyone was able to spend this holiday surrounded by their loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

From .irl

As some of you may know, our good friend Alain () fought a fierce fight against pancreatic cancer in the last year and a half. This New Year brings the sad news that Alain passed away on Sunday with his wife Jennifer and daughter Amélie by his side.

Co-founder and long-time volunteer Executive Director of , Alain was a tireless advocate for refugees and people seeking asylum. He was a person who cared deeply about his community and the people in it. He made sure that Jersey City was a place for everyone–especially for those seeking refuge. He made sure that everyone had the dignity of a good home, support, and resources to thrive. Alain was everyone’s friend. He was a loving husband to Jennifer and a doting father to Amélie who were always standing proudly beside him.

This loss is heavy on our community. Alain will be greatly missed.

The family has requested that donations can be made to Welcome Home Jersey City in Alain’s memory and in honor of the enormous impact he’s had on our community. A fund in his name – the Alain Fund -- will be established to help children of families assisted by Welcome Home with expenses related to higher education.

A funeral service will be held for Alain this Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Beth El in Jersey City, NJ. All are welcome to attend.

Don't miss this event Saturday, August 27

The JCPD is teaming up with ICNA Relief & for the annual Back to School Giveaway! On August 27, from 12-2 p.m., families who need backpacks and school supplies for children can visit the JCPD’s West District. It is first come, first serve while supplies last.

See the flyer for more details.

Jersey City Theater Center Proudly Presents
Heart of Afghanistan
Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 6:00PM
At White Eagle Hall

Jersey City, NJ — Jersey City Theater Center will present Afghan quartet Heart of Afghanistan at White Eagle Hall on Sunday, September 18 at 6:00PM. A multi-talented band widely recognized in Afghanistan, Heart of Afghanistan consists of Ahmad Fanoos (vocals and harmonium) his two sons Elham (piano) and Mehran (violin). Together, they tell the story of Afghanistan from its pre-Islamic Buddhist heritage through traditional Ghazals based on the Sufi inspired poetry of Rumi (who was born in Afghanistan) and the ‘Afghan Elvis,’ Ahmad Zahir, who took the music of Elvis Presley and translated it into Dari. Heart of Afghanistan’s idea is to give a 360-degree view of Afghan culture through music, poetry and art.

“Considering how much we’ve heard about Afghanistan on the news recently, we Americans still understand little about the country’s culture and history. These artists are the messengers of their people. We invite the Jersey City community to join us at White Eagle Hall and experience the rich culture of Afghanistan through its music,” said Olga Levina, executive producer of JCTC.

Tickets are $25, $35 for balcony seats and $18 for students and seniors and available at https://www.seetickets.us/event/The-Heart-of-AfghanistanGlobal-Music-SeariesAfghanistan/495663. White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Avenue in Jersey City.

Heart Of Afghanistan is an American Voices Production.

About Jersey City Theater Center

Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization committed to inspiring conversations about important issues of our times through the arts. Co-founded by Executive Producer Olga Levina, an immigrant from Belarus, Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) produces and presents universal yet locally relevant works, emphasizing social justice and human rights. Since 2006, JCTC has provided a platform for all artistic voices to be heard in Jersey City, with the aim of sparking meaningful cross-cultural dialogue that helps build a greater understanding, mutual respect and better communities in New Jersey.

Thank you to , the Immigrant Justice Association at the Rutgers-Camden, and Rickie for collecting donations and dropping them off.

On October 21, Global Emergency Response and Assistance - GERA. and Afghan-American Foundation- AAF co-sponsored a morale boosting event at Liberty Village at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst . With support from members of the NJ Coalition for Afghan Refugees, the group of organizers, Freshta Taeb, Sikandar Khan, and Sofia Nader were able to put on a successful concert with Afghan-American and Canadian super stars Meghan Kabir, Mozhdah Jamalzadah مژده جمالزاده and the legendary, Ustad Mangal, and DJ Mariam Bahawdory. DJ Yelda Ali provided special deejay sets for guests who weren't able to make it to the concert location. With special thanks to Muslim American Law Enforcement Association for assistance with security, Cynthia Thek and One World, One Love, Ehsan F Chowdhry Law, Fire and Oak Montvale NJ, Sheefa Pharmacy & Wellness Center, KAIZEN MMA, Era Marketing Solutions , , and of Afghan American Sports Association for the sponsorship.

On October 21, @gera_ngo and @afghanamericanfnd co-sponsored a morale boosting event at Liberty Village at Joint Base Mcguire-Dix-Lakehurst. With support from members of the NJ Coalition for Afghan Refugees, the group of organizers, @freshta_taeb , @sikandar_khan1, and @sof_nader, were able to put on a successful concert with Afghan-American and Canadian super stars @meghankabir, @officialmozhdah, and the legendary, Ustad Mangal, and DJ @hawdory. DJ @y3lda provided special deejay sets for guests who weren't able to make it to the concert location. With special thanks to @maleanj for assistance with security, @cynthia_thek and 1W1L, Ehsan Chowdhry Law, @fireandoakmontvale, @sheefapharmacy, @kaizen_mma, @eramarketing, #FTTranslationServices, #RamziaAkbary, and #TimorNassery of @aasa_nj for the sponsorship. . . . #sarzamineman #ustadmangal #mozhdahjamalzadah #meghankabir #concert #afghanrefugees

Special thanks to all the organizations,businesses, and individuals that sponsored our event so that every dollar made could go to those less fortunate. 100% of ticket sales and donations will go directly toward housing, ESL and other programming and other needs of our Afghan guests.

We need YOUR help!!

Konnekt Global is collecting new notebooks, pencils and erasers for the children of Afghan families who recently arrived in the US.

Donation boxes are at the Kulture Kool Rutherford studio or you can drop them off with any Konnekt Global] volunteers living near you.

Reach out to Konnekt Global] or DM us for further info
NJ Coalition for Afghan Refugees

GERA and AAF are proud to announce a Benefit Concert To Aid Afghan Refugees at Overpeck County Park Amphitheater, taking place October 22.

The event, headlined by Ustad Mangal, Mozhdah Jamalzadah, and Meghan Kabir, and features an opening set from DJ Mariam Bahawdory, will raise money for what will likely be a large population of refugees to resettle in the TriState areas. The funds will be used towards housing, ESL classes, community development, and enrichment programs. Tickets are on sale now.

www.afghan-benefit.com

Mozhdah Jamalzadah مژده جمالزاده Meghan Kabir Global Emergency Response and Assistance - GERA. Afghan-American Foundation- AAF One World, One Love Sheefa Pharmacy & Wellness Center EF Chowdhry Law Practice, A Limited Liability Company

Updates on the successful completion of the Welcome Dinner for our Afghan guests.

Special thanks to our coalition members, other community organizations, as well as community volunteers. and Jahed Ahmad for their generous donations.