The family of Syrian refugees now resettled in Paterson has triggered different reactions in New Jersey - with the governor trying to block such resettlements, and church groups trying to make them feel welcome. Watch video
The newest family of Syrian refugees is now in a Paterson apartment that has been outfitted with everything from bunk beds to toothbrushes by New Jersey volunteers.
An interfaith coalition of 30 congregations was formed in Middlesex County earlier this fall in response to the flood of refugees fleeing Syria, said Seth Kaper-Dale, one of the pastors involved since its inception.
The political climate towards refugees changed abruptly after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris once it was learned one of the gunmen had masqueraded as a refugee. Within four days, Gov. Chris Christie directed state agencies to cease participating in any resettlement of Syrians.
The coalition, however, has not backed away from its original purpose. Instead, its 300 or so members donated all the items needed to turn an apartment into a home.
"This is as real an interfaith commitment as I've ever seen," Kaper-Dale, co-pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park.
"The Jewish community understands what it means to be a refugee, both from their faith story and from their World War Two experience," he said. He found that outpouring of aid from a community that has a fractious history with Syria "deeply moving."
The Muslim community - which could have chosen to steer clear of the controversy - has also been quite generous, he said.
Members of a Middlesex County interfaith committee on refugee resettlement helped outfit a Paterson apartment in anticipation of the arrival of a family from Syria earlier this week. (Photo courtesy of Reformed Church of Highland Park) Their actions were a pointed contrast to the governor's position. Christie maintains he doesn't want Syrian refugees resettled in his state because the federal government is unable to screen them for closet terrorists.
He has also complained the Obama administration hasn't provided state law enforcement with enough information about refugees that have been resettled in their midst. In response, the White House promised governors they'd receive more information - a promise Christie said hadn't been fulfilled in this latest case.
When asked in a Tuesday morning television interview whether the refugees should be sent back, he answered, ""Listen, they shouldn't have come in the first place -- but it's not my choice. It's a federal issue."
"His dangerous words come down as hammers on any of those refugees," Kaper-Dale said of the anti-refugee comments Christie has made on the presidential campaign trail.
"Sometimes hospitality means giving someone food they need and a bed they need, and sometimes it means protecting them from dangerous governments," he said.
The Central New Jersey Interfaith Coalition for Refugee Resettlement's fund-raising walk was scheduled for what turned out to be two days after the Paris bloodshed. It raised about $6,000, with more coming in later.
It has also established a Facebook campaign to encourage municipalities to become a "Take Ten Town" - a town that publicly states it has the ability to absorb 10 refugees.
President Barack Obama has indicated the United States is willing to accept 10,000 of the four million refugees in this latest crisis.
RELATED: Christie hints he may take legal action vs. Syrian refugees in N.J.
Although Highland Park and New Brunswick may become the home to refugees in the future, the family that arrived earlier this week preferred Paterson because they already knew some fellow countrymen who lived there, said Kaper-Dale.
He described the family as being a husband and wife who have four older, school-aged children and one preschooler.
Kaper-Dean said he has received angry emails and phone messages from people who feel he's putting the community at risk by helping refugees resettle. He said he found the State Department's refugee resettlement to be far more functional than other pathways of immigration.
"If a terrorist wanted to come into this country, there are all sorts of very sloppy aspects of our visa and our passport programs that would make it very easy to come here," he said. "There are real things to be scared at, and I sure hope our government is looking into them." The Syrian refugees, however, were not in that category, he said.
Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
