Refugee Shabbat 2026

March 13, 2026
WRJC Special Shabbat Services
Guest Speaker: Chandra Upreti
& Guest Cantorial Soloist: Heather Johnston

Join us for our second year of HIAS Annual Refugee Shabbat, featuring guest speaker Chandra Upreti, Director of the Twin Falls Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

This special Shabbat is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reaffirm one of our most enduring Jewish values: welcoming the stranger.

At a critical time for refugee resettlement and absorption programs, our tradition reminds us:

V'ahavtem et haGer - You shall love and take responsibility for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

We are honored to welcome Chandra Upreti, Director of the Twin Falls Field Office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, as our guest speaker.Chandra’s story is extraordinary. Born in Bhutan, he fled to Nepal as a child refugee and spent 17 years in refugee camps before being resettled in Twin Falls. Today, he leads one of Idaho’s most impactful refugee programs, building partnerships across sectors and achieving a 92% employment rate for newly arrived refugees. His life embodies resilience, leadership, and hope.

During this meaningful Shabbat, we will:
• Celebrate the global Jewish movement working on behalf of refugees
• Learn about the local impact of resettlement efforts in Idaho
• Reflect on our own communal responsibility
• Gather strength for the work ahead

Whether you are a full-time resident or seasonal member of our Valley community, your presence matters. This is about who we are — together.

Please join us. We look forward to being together in prayer, learning, and solidarity.