Jain community packs 10,000 meals for Refugees

 I admit that I didn't know much about Jains and Jainism before this event.

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself.

In this video, Atul Shah from the Jain Society of Greater Cleveland told of the 3 main principles of Jainism: Strict non-violence, Many-sided Reality and Non-attachment to possessions. Jains go beyond being vegans - what he called Jain Vegan where even root vegetables are not eaten. He estimates there are 350 or so Jains in the Cleveland area.

On Saturday August 6 the Jain Society of Greater Cleveland held a working event at the Jain Temple in Richfield Ohio called Compassion in Action where the group packed 10,000 Meals for Refugees around the World. Joining them was Richfield Mayor Michael Wheeler and his wife.

Watch a video of the workers packing meals.

See more about Jains and the Meals for Refugees

Escape from Vietnam - A Refugee's Journey to Reach the American Dream

Loi Dang-Nguyen, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker at the 2nd annual ASIA, Inc. Friendraiser at Ariel International in Cleveland.

She told how her family, which included 12 siblings, had to suddenly flee the communists in 1975.

She told of being part of the boat people and how they arrived in a refugee camp in Florida and eventually settled in Akron, Ohio.

It's an amazing story.

Photos and videos of the keynote by Loi Dang-Nguyen

Cleveland ethnic leaders meet with Mayor Frank Jackson and others

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, City Council president Kevin Kelley, Global Cleveland President Joe Cimperman and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams met with about 120 leaders of Cleveland's ethnic communities. The purpose was to have a dialog, answer their concerns and have a conversation about Cleveland’s local response to international relations in our community.

The meeting was closed to the media so the people could speak freely. Afterwards, a summary for the media was presented and Q&A session was held.

Mayor Jackson assured the leaders that Cleveland always has been, is and will remain a Welcoming City.

See photos and videos of the meeting with ethnic leaders and the City of Cleveland

Middle East Crisis - former Lebanon president Amine Gemayel

Former President of Lebanon (1982-1988) Amine Gemayel spoke at Case Western Reserve University on the topic: Managing the World Crisis of the Middle East: Imperatives and Alternatives.

He spoke about Syria, refugees, Iran, Russia, the US, Isis and more.

More of the Lebanese in Cleveland

 

Bhutan Refugee becomes citizen at One World Day

Judge Daniel A. Polster is a United States federal judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  He presided over the Naturalization of 19 new citizens at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Gardens.

Judge Polster invited the new citizens to say a few words and Upendra Luitel, a refugee from Bhutan, made some inspiring comments.

 

Cleveland Mayor Jackson’s strategy on refugees

The Rotary Club of Cleveland honored The Honorable Frank G. Jackson, Mayor of Cleveland, with the 2016 International Service Award.  After his speech Mayor Jackson was asked about refugees.  

He told a story of how he learned a lesson from meeting with people who recently came from a refugee camp in Africa.  He said there used to be an infrastructure to support immigrants and refugees.  That doesn’t exist like it used to so we have to create that infrastructure. Programs are just programs – we believe in doing substantive things. What’s relevant is what we do for people.

RIP Lucretia Stoica

Lucretia Stoica, Long time (41 years) Director of the International Services Center passed away Nov. 22, 2014 at the age of 92.


"As we in the International world of Cleveland know she was one tremendous giving women...who dedicated her life, above and beyond the call of duty, finding a home and new life for untold refuges seeking a new life in our Cleveland! God Bless" Jim Craciun

Karin Wishner, who holds the position that Lucretia did for so many years said "The International Services Center is grateful for her many years of dedicated service and great love for the people she served. She was an advocate for those who had no voice. I admired her and will miss her."

Her wake will be Sunday at the Corrigan Craciun funeral home in Fairview Park. The funeral will take place on Monday, Dec. 1st at 10:00 at St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Cathedral.

Lucretia Stoica

Lucretia Stoica inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame

1st Annual Refugee Summit in Cleveland

The first Refugee Summit in Cleveland was held Thursday October 30, 2014 in the Rotunda of City Hall. The Summit was hosted by City of Cleveland Health and Human Services Committee, Councilman Joe Cimperman (Ward 3) and in partnership with the Refugee Services Collaborative of Greater Cleveland.


The theme of the Summit was: Get the facts. Fight misconceptions. Explore next steps.

More from the 1st Annual Refugee Summit in Cleveland

Louise Mugongo told her story of being a refugee from Congo