We fulfill the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim—or, Welcoming the Stranger—through year-round efforts to build bonds with the Nyack Interfaith community and to provide material support to and solidarity with immigrant and refugee communities in our county and in upstate New York.

We have fulfilled, and are continuing to fulfill the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim through various activities.

CSI is among the founding members of Rockland Jews for Immigrant Justice (RJIJ), a collaboration between six local Jewish organizations that works in solidarity with Proyecto Faro (Project Lighthouse), a grassroots, immigrant-led mutual aid organization. We also participate in HIAS’ annual Refugee Shabbat, and maintain regular contact with and provide material support for resettled Afghan refugee communities throughout the state.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, CSI hosted an Annual Interfaith Dinner that brought guests from numerous Nyack-area faith groups together in our synagogue for a home-cooked Shabbat meal and help solidify our communal ties; we hope to resume this tradition in the near future. We also participate in the Nyack branch of the NAACP’s Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service each year, whether in person or virtually.