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For Newly Arrived New Yorkers, a Chance to Celebrate


Margo Tipán feeds her 8-year-old daughter Genesis with a plate of beans and arepa on Christmas Day, a respite from a long, challenging month.

“This is the first time we have celebrated anything since coming to this country,” said Ms. Tipán. They arrived in New York City just a few weeks ago from Ecuador. On Sunday, they celebrate Christmas with about 125 other newly arrived migrants.

The party was held at the Association for the Advancement of Judaism on the Upper West Side. Volunteers from a variety of nonprofits and individuals across the state — most of whom are Jewish — helped organize the event.

“When no churches can be present at Christmas, synagogues naturally increase, because we do not celebrate Christmas!” Ruth Messinger, former Manhattan district president said.

Evie Litwok, another volunteer, said newcomers need more help from New Yorkers – and not just during the holidays. “I was drawn to this event today because this is a population that needs other people to care about them,” she said. “I’m glad we’re doing this, but this is just one day.”

Party guests received gift bags of warm clothes, scarves, hats, gloves and toys. The highlight of the party was a menu full of South American dishes: pollo guisado, pabellon criollo, arepas, queso and more.

Santa even appeared, posing with children at a makeshift photo booth in the synagogue’s hallway. While waiting for family photos to be printed, Alexander Frías Canario joked about the cold weather and food in New York, comparing them to his life in Peru. Mr. Canario, his wife and two children arrived in the US in early October.

The arts and crafts table was filled with children of all ages, who were busy decorating picture frames and drawing with markers and crayons. Danieliza Piamo, 12, spent half an hour decorating the Christmas tree with her 8-year-old cousin Steiberlin Vasquez. “I’m so glad the people helped us and we were able to be together as a family,” she said. “And, I miss my grandmother, because she’s back home.”

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