Anti-Poverty Campaign

2010 PASSOVER READING ON POVERTY - The JCRC Anti-Poverty Campaign and the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas have prepared a special Passover reading on poverty.  We encourage you to read it during your Seder, and discuss and reflect upon it.  Along with the reading, we have also provided you with a concrete action opportunity to combat childhood hunger. (click on the link above to view the reading)

"FIGHTING POVERTY THEN & TODAY: The Values and Legacy of MLK, Jr."  
Remarks by Rev. Gerald Britt at the January 18, 2010 JCRC Interfaith Breakfast in Honor of MLK, Jr.

Facts on poverty in Dallas

• As of 2008, over 250,000 residents of the city of Dallas earned less than the federal poverty line ($21,200 for a family of four).
• Studies show that families need to earn twice the poverty line in order to meet basic needs.
• The economic recession has driven thousands more people into poverty.  The poverty rate for the city of Dallas increased from 21.1% in 2007 to 22.6% in 2008.

For more information about poverty in Dallas and across the country, check out the articles and links below.

Why is this issue important for the Jewish community to address?
The commandment to provide for those who are less fortunate can be found throughout Jewish religious texts and writings.  Consequently, the need to be a positive force in the world with respect to the welfare of others is an integral part of Jewish thought and action.  This responsibility has motivated the JCRC to initiate and Anti-Poverty Campaign to promote both education and action that will ultimately address the various causes and consequences of poverty.

Learn more about the Jewish imperative to combat poverty here.

What are we hoping to accomplish?

We hope to build broad awareness within the Jewish community about the growing tragedy of poverty and the moral urgency of addressing this crisis.  To that end, the JCRC has set up an Anti-Poverty Campaign Task Force, comprised of representatives from Jewish congregations and organizations throughout the Dallas area.  The Task Force is coordinating a series of poverty awareness events and activities being developed by participating congregations and organizations.  By building an understanding of the realities of poverty among the members of these groups and across the community, we hope to create a powerful constituency for action to reduce poverty in Dallas.

We also hope to build strong partnerships with community groups from around the city to develop strategic and creative approaches to combating poverty that build off of the work already being done and mobilize resources in an effective way.  The crisis of poverty affects everyone, and the entire community must be part of the solution.

Who is involved in this campaign?
The Jewish Community Relations Council seeks to unite the entire Jewish community around this common initiative.  The organizations that are currently represented on the JCRC Anti-Poverty Campaign Task Force include:

     Congregation Anshai Torah
     Congregation Beth Torah
     Congregation Shearith Israel
     Hadassah
     Hillel of Dallas
     Jewish Family Service
     National Council of Jewish Women
     Temple Emanu-El
     Temple Shalom
     Yavneh Academy

If you would like your Jewish congregation or organization to be involved, contact jcrcdallas@jfgd.org.

Articles and handouts on poverty
     JCRC Anti-Poverty Statement from members of the Rabbinic Association of Dallas
     "The Working Poor", an analysis by Shirley Davidoff, JCRC Anti-Poverty Campaign Task Force Member
     "Poverty: A Growing Tragedy", an educational handout by the JCRC Anti-Poverty Campaign

You can find new articles on poverty in upcoming editions of the JCRC weekly e-newsletter.  Sign up now!