with Rabbi Marvin Goodman
What Do Jewish Texts Say About Caring for the Needy, and How is the Jewish Community Helping in This Crisis?
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Our texts tell us that in the best of times and in the worst as well, we need to support each other. We should not have second thoughts about it, even when we ourselves are nervous about what tomorrow will bring. In fact, even if we are living on tzedakah, or the charitable donations of others, we are still obligated to donate something to help others.
While tzedakah is commonly thought of as charity, the source of the Hebrew word is tzedek, which means justice. Thus, one who gives tzedakah is pursuing justice.
Our Jewish community has a network of non-profit agencies that have stepped up their services to help those in need. These agencies, which serve Jews and non-Jews, receive a portion of their operating funds from our Federations – the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation where I work, and those in the East Bay and Silicon Valley. Federations are funded by donations from community members. So you can see how we in our community support one another.
Here are a few of the services available for those who need help.
Jewish Vocational Services helps individuals who have lost jobs with job placement, resumé writing and new skill training. www.jvs.org
The Jewish Community Endowment Fund provides a whole range of scholarships for Jewish day school and preschool tuition, first time teen trips to Israel, as well as overnight, day and specialty camps, offered through the Bureau of Jewish Education. www.bjesf.org
Jewish Family and Children’s Service has food pantries in each of its branch offices that provide groceries to low income seniors and young families, adults with disabilities, and individuals and families facing temporary crisis. JFCS can also offer guidance on financial issues, such as maintaining credit, holding onto your home, and others. www.jfcs.org and www.jfcs-eastbay.org.
In addition, Hebrew Free Loan provides a variety of loans, including college tuition and emergency loans. www.hflasf.org
And many synagogues have set up informal referral congregant-to-congregant services for people who have lost jobs.
For information on how you can receive or provide help, contact Jewish Community Information and Referral, at 415.777.4545 or JewishNfo@sfjcf.org.
Rabbi Marvin Goodman is the director of the Northern California Board of Rabbis and Rabbi-in-Residence at the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
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