A Chanukah Miracle:

Temple Sinai Welcomes a New Family from Afghanistan

Chanukah is the celebration of an unlikely miracle– what a fitting time for the Temple Sinai community to welcome the Paiman family to the United States. After a great deal of uncertainty, given the increasing difficulties faced by many immigrants and refugees, and Afghans in particular, we are so pleased to share that Temple Sinai has started sponsoring a new family from Afghanistan. 

The family consists of dad Mohammad Reza, mom Mursal, sons Paszhwak (13), Pamir (11), Arselan (6), and daughter Sozha (5). A dedicated team of volunteers have been involved in securing a lease, getting the family moved into their new apartment in Silver Spring, assisting with employment, English classes, technology, school enrollment, and more. We would especially like to thank Homes Not Borders, a wonderful organization that provided the furniture for the Paimans’ apartment. 

To help this family succeed, much work lies ahead for Team Temple Sinai, and we need the help of additional volunteers in our community. For example, we must apply for benefits (such as Medicaid and SNAP), teach them how to use public transportation, introduce them to Washington, drive them to appointments and to shopping, entertain the kids, and more. 

What can you do? If interested, please email Jenny Cohen to be added to our Refugee and Immigrant Google Group – we will post updates on the family and needed support there. If you are willing to get more involved with some of the tasks listed above, please let Jenny know. With a great deal of gratitude to Catherine Ribnick, for leading our Temple Sinai team, we invite you to join this sacred work of welcome.