Present: Nancy Fulton, Ed Fulton, Becky Jones, Ruth Hawkins, Bruce Hawkins, Ellen Koteen, Frances Crowe, and Ned Krutsky. Regrets: Diane Palladino, Teddy Milne, and Tina Krutsky.
Friends gathered at 7:35 PM.
Mosque Open House: Ruth and Ned reported attending the Open House at the Islamic Center of Western Mass September 18. Their building was completed about a year ago. They were most appreciative of our attendance. They want to reach out to the larger community and are very interested in interfaith networking. Ned informed them of our interest in refugees. Their primary interest on this occasion was in presenting themselves, as is understandable. One member expressed interest in knowing about this committee's meetings. Both Ned and Ruth found it a moving experience. Black Muslims are among those worshiping there.
Refugees: Becky reported that she, Ned, and Tina met with ten people, mostly members of the Synagogue. They have decided to go ahead working with the Lutheran agency to sponsor a family. There are enough other groups in the area sponsoring families to create a sufficiently large group for the refugees to feel comfortable here. They hope to have the first family member here in January. They need people who are wiling to work five to eight hours a month and also people willing to give less time. They need $800 to $1500 for the first month when the family is not covered by welfare and medical assistance. They plan to organize subcommittees over the next month. The plan has not yet been approved by the synagogue, though this was not felt to be a problem. They seem to be open to co-sponsorship. Their next meeting is Nov. 30.
We recommend the following minute to Northampton business meeting: Northampton Preparative Meeting notes with pleasure the efforts of Congregation B'nai Israel to support a Bosnian refugee family in Northampton and offer to join in that effort as a co-sponsor. We support those of our members who are led to take part in this effort, and we encourage others. We offer an initial contribution of $150 from our budget.
Ned will speak to the minute at business meeting.
Disposition of Funds Raised: Bruce reported that we have raised over $900 to send to Serbia. He has not yet sent any of it, feeling that we might wish to send some of this large sum to other groups as well as to the Ada group. He summarized a letter from The Center for Peace in Osijek, Croatia.
Frances informed us that the Friends of Bosnia are collecting medicine, food, winter blankets, school supplies, and clothing, known as Project Lift-Off. Frances was assured that the help will go to civilians of all ethnic identities. AFSC is already a collection point.
Friends agreed to ask that Northampton Preparative sponsor Project Lift-Off and to recommend sponsorship to Mt. Toby as well.
Friends agreed to send $800 to the group in Ada and the remainder to Osijek.
Working for Another Miracle: Report on Peacemaking in the Balkans: Jasminka Udovicki and Scott Schaefer-Duffy will speak on this topic, reporting on their summer visits Sunday Nov 14 at 7 PM at Hampshire College, in Franklin Patterson West Lecture Hall. Each will speak for half an hour and encourage questions for half an hour. We ask Northampton to join AFSC, Mt. Toby, and the Smith Chapel, and others in sponsoring this meeting. We propose that the meeting contribute $25. Left over funds will be divided between Jasminka and Scott for the use of their respective groups.
(Housekeeping items omitted.)
Friends concluded in worship at 9:20 PM.
Bruce Hawkins, Recording