Citizens  

As an institution in Citizens UK we have been part of several campaigns over the years.

These included our first, and biggest, campaign to persuade Barnet Council to welcome 50 Syrian Refugees to the borough in 2016. We got ‘the yes’ from Councillor Cornelius on our own bima, and a many months later were able to welcome our Syrian friends to the synagogue every Friday for Coffee Club.You can follow this incredible story here:

• From The Jewish News in 2016 https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/progressive-jews-celebrate-successful-campaign-for-council-to-resettle-refugees/

• From Liberal Judaism in 2017 https://www.liberaljudaism.org/2017/03/syrian-coffee-club-at-finchley-progressive/ 

• From The Times in 2018 https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/16899661.council-leader-persuaded-take-syrian-refugees/

• From Middlesex University in 2021 https://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/2021/01/syrian-refugees-resettlement-students-graduate-barnet

• And from The Times in 2022 https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/all/me-and-you-the-rabbi-and-the-syrian-refugee-shes-my-friend-7qWX2zId304BBTTWQXYZ3Y

As a member of Barnet Citizens we have also run campaigns about getting the Living Wage for carers in Barnet, making our local area more eco-friendly by putting in more electric car charging points, and changing the way youth Mental Health support is provided.

After some time, we are delighted that newly elected Councillor Barry Rawlings agreed to all our pledges at our Barnet Assembly. We are working closely with him to ensure this happens!