| Dear Reader,
Jewish poverty is not an oxymoron. It is a real, persistent challenge to our community's identity and well-being. There are Jews who are poor because they are elderly or sick or live in households with too many mouths to feed. There are Jews who work three jobs and still don't have enough resources to feed their families. There are Jews who wish they could work, but can't, because of disability, mental illness, or the unforgiving nature of American capitalism.
Jewish federations and agencies around the country have addressed poverty for years, but there's been shamefully little national attention to the poor and near-poor in our midst. Thanks to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, that's beginning to change. The foundation hosted a national convening in March, and has gathered leaders in Chicago this week to consider next steps.
The following essays are drawn from concept papers written for the convening, along with my own reporting. The persistence of Jewish poverty is a consequence of growing income inequality and government disinvestment across America, and it won't be fully alleviated until these structural problems are finally addressed for everyone. But we are commanded to take care of the poor and needy, and it is only right that we start with our own. — Jane Eisner, Writer-at-large This Food Pantry Uses Technology And Kindness To Help Feed Hungry Jews (And Others)
Jane Eisner, Writer-at-large If We are Really Going To Tackle Jewish Poverty, Here Are The Questions We Need To Ask
Jane Eisner, Writer-at-large The Problem With Measuring Jewish Poverty
Laurence Kotler-Berkowitz, Contributing Writer Why We Don't Talk About Jewish Poverty — And Why We Should
Jane Eisner, Writer-at-large A Coordinated Response to Jewish Poverty in Greater Boston
Sarah Abramson, Contributing Writer These stories take time – and resources. The Forward is a non-profit, reader-supported news organization and we rely on your donations to fund our fearless, Jewish journalism. SUPPORT MORE STORIES LIKE THESE | 