Lee I. Sherman

From a very early age, I can remember placing a few coins in the blue and white tzedakah box at the start of each Hebrew School class as a contribution to Keren Ami. On most occasions, the money was collected for the Jewish National Fund for planting trees in Israel (a project of amazing success as anyone who has stood in the Judean Hills can attest as the forests around Jerusalem form their own "green line"). In many classes, we not only contributed the money, but discussed the meaning of "tzedakah" and the potential benefit to Israel from even our few coins. I can remember times when I felt badly because I forgot to bring my nickels and dimes, but I cannot recall any time when I felt that the money could be better spent elsewhere.

We often speak of "tzedakah" as a basic Jewish value and we recognize charitable giving as a cornerstone of our communities. The roots for the importance of tzedakah run very deep in Jewish text and experience. In this week's parashah, Va-yak-hel,the Israelites are asked to contribute for the building of the tabernacle, the Jewish people's first capital campaign. It was not mandatory to give, but "everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them."( 35:4) The emphasis on a "freewill offering to the Lord" (35:29) is repeated, in different words, several times throughout these passages. Ultimately, the outpouring from the people was so great that Moses had to halt the collection; there was sufficient gold, silver, jewels, and other materials for the construction and outfitting of the sanctuary.

The generosity of the Israelites is even more amazing considering where they came from. These were the very same people who only recently had been slaves in Egypt. That they had any riches at all was only from what they had received from their Egyptian neighbors as they prepared for the Exodus. And yet, having come from nothing, with little to call their own, the people were still moved to give to the greater cause of celebrating their relationship with God. Their hearts encouraged them to build a community much as our hearts inspire us to strengthen our communities today through tzedakah, gemilut chasadim, and tikkun olam. These are certainly values worthy of sharing with our children, ensuring that they and our communities will be passed from generation to generation.

Shabbat Shalom. 

The winds of winter may still be blowing where you live, but it is already time to start thinking about the summer. When school is finished, the 20 million children who receive free or reduced-price lunch during the school year through USDA's National School Lunch Program will be in trouble. Only 3 million kids participate in our Summer Food Service Program. We want to make sure that no child in the US goes to bed hungry, whether school is in session or out. We can only do that with your help. Your organization can get free meals for kids this summer by being a site or sponsor in the Summer Food Service Program.

Feeding hungry people and extending hospitality around food are tenets of every faith. Feeding hungry kids is truly a universal calling and one you are probably already doing.

Our Center will be hosting a one-hour webinar targeted towards faith-based organizations and hope that you can join this. Learn how your congregation or organization can get free food to feed kids in your community. 

Please join us!

What: USDA's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Webinar for Faith-Based Organizations (click on the link for more information)

Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Registration Link: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17fb9g48fe7