By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent
There’s an open invitation on the table for the entire Jewish community, to turn people’s attention to fighting poverty and hunger in Washington State, but it also includes a strong message to our leaders in Olympia — that the community takes hunger and poverty in Washington seriously, and expects that they will, too.
From Oct. 10–19, “Focus and Fight, A Call to End Poverty” brings together over 20 local Jewish organizations to call attention to these issues with events and activities for children and adults all over the Puget Sound region, and a citizen-led petition drive calling for community action.
“The Jewish community is committed to fighting poverty,” Tana Senn, marketing and communications director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle told JTNews. The Federation spearheaded the campaign. “Everyone we asked to be a part of this immediately said, ‘Yes.’ This is a community-wide effort.”
The flagging economy is affecting nearly everyone, but the poor, disabled, and low-income in Washington can’t take much more.
“Our local delegation needs to know that the Jewish community cares about this and that they are willing to put their names out there on a pledge,” said Zach Carstensen, director of government affairs for the Jewish Federation. ”I think we’re going to see a keen focus on this topic.”
Whether you attend the Homeless to Renter program fundraiser at Temple Beth Am or help residents at the Kline Galland Home prepare lunches for homeless youth, with so many Jewish agencies are participating in the campaign, there’s an activity for everyone.
“Our goal is to raise 50,000 pounds of food during our food drive,” said Carol Mullin, director of Emergency Services at Jewish Family Service.
The agency’s “Let’s Bag Hunger” food drive officially opens on Sept. 30 and runs through Thanksgiving. But the need keeps growing, said Mullin, and seems to be affecting a large number of people.
“Here at our food bank, we’re seeing people struggling more and more,” said Mullin. “This happens to be our time of year to run our food drive event, but now, it’s becoming a year-round event.”
Mullin says that the social services community often sees their clients having to make the choice to “heat or eat.”
Whether it’s the mortgage crisis, the collapse of financial services firms, or those “working poor” who would otherwise make ends meet, many are just not able to keep up with rising costs.
“The problems that affect the community at large also affect the Jewish community,” said Mullin. “We’ve had a 22 percent increase in the last year, and I would guess that by year’s end, we will be at 30 percent. Some people are coming over to the food bank during their lunch hour.”
The idea for the Focus and Fight Poverty campaign was inspired by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ national interfaith effort on poverty. However, Judaism has much to say about helping the needy and providing food for those who are hungry.
From the Torah, to the Prophets, through to the Proverbs, the Psalms, and the Talmudic commentaries, Judaism requires the community to leave a portion of their harvested crop, feed the hungry, and help people who need a hand.
In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, it is written: “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily, your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Eternal shall be your rear guard. If you shall pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (58:7-8, 10-11).
The community is responding. On Oct. 15, the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Federation will hold a canned food drive during one of the presidential debates.
“We want people who are interested in watching the third presidential debate to bring a canned food item or any non-perishable food and come together to get involved,” said Levin, who is organizing the event along with the YLD volunteer coordinator, Matthew Titelbaum.
“We’re partnering with JConnect to have some fun as a group, scream and yell at the big-screen TVs, and maybe collect 50 pounds of food,” added Levin. ”This is one of our community’s passions.”
Throughout the greater Seattle metro area, schools, synagogues, retirement homes, and community centers will not only function as drop-off points for food donations, but they will also be getting people to sign petition postcards.
These names will be added to a list that will appear in ads, and will also be used to persuade local, state, and national legislators that the Jewish community is serious about these problems.
“We can solve poverty with political leadership powered by a citizen movement,” read talking points about the legislative agenda for the campaign. “Many people are threatened by economic and social insecurity and policies that have failed to promote shared prosperity.
“We must also show them that we are both mobilized to hold them accountable…and committed to helping them achieve them.”
Meanwhile, an online petition, at www.jewishinseattle.org is available to sign, as are hints for individuals to make a difference in fighting poverty.
”So many times, people want to know, ‘What can I do?’” said Senn. “You can say you want to do something, but when you show it, it’s a whole other thing.”