Hunger Assistance (2005)

WHEREAS, Jewish tradition has articulated from its earliest formulation in the Torah that the community must take care of the poor; and

WHEREAS, the Torah teaches us to leave the sheaves of the field unharvested so the poor may glean. This obligation was continued by the rabbis during the time of the Mishnah, which established the soup kitchen (tamhui) and the charity fund (kupah). In the Middle Ages, synagogues distributed food to both the local and the traveling poor. A sophisticated and expansive societal infrastructure was established to provide aid to the poor. This sense of obligation existed throughout Jewish history into contemporary American Jewish life; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly issued a rabbinic letter on poverty, You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor, written by Rabbi Elliot Dorff and edited by Rabbi Lee S. Paskind; and

WHEREAS, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has a long history of encouraging the Jewish people to fulfill our obligation to alleviate poverty by giving tzedakah and promoting self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the lessons learned from Jewish tradition in regard to poverty should be commended to society's governments.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will support efforts to ensure that the poor receive necessary food assistance (such as food stamps) from the government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will encourage the United States and Canadian governments to reduce food insecurity and hunger in their respective countries and around the world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will work cooperatively with other interested organization in support of legislation and efforts to achieve these goals.