Rabbi Dan Moskovitz

refugee families: The synagogue has since raised close to $80,000 — enough to sponsor two refugee families, according to CBC. But Moskovitz says they have been told they will have to wait, because the first group of about 2,500 refugees arriving in B.C. will be government-assisted. "We're setting up their homes, we're painting the apartments, we're putting food in the refrigerator, we're celebrating birthday parties for the kids. Rabbi Dan Moskovitz challenged his congregation at Temple Sholom to donate money to sponsor a refugee family in November. That what we want to do," said Moskovitz. "But we can't do it yet because we don't know when they're coming." Browse all CBC B.C refugee stories Volunteers can do this better than the federal government can' There are three main reasons why the government should prioritize privately-sponsored refugees according to Moskovitz. That will save the federal government "hundreds of millions of dollars." Moskovitz also points out that there is less chance privately-sponsored refugees will become radicalized because they will receive help from volunteers every step of the way. "My concern is that families that come through the government program is they're going to slip through the cracks, and then they're going to feel isolated in society and we've seen where that can lead." We were once strangers in the land' Temple Sholom and other community groups in Vancouver have a history of helping refugees settle in their new home. Volunteers are ready and willing to take families through all the steps of integration and stay with them through the year-long process, said Moskovitz. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.