Friday, September 4

 

15 Elul 5769 

 

Shabbat Shalom -

It is Labor Day weekend.  For some this connotes the end of summer (and white shoe season).  For others, it is a time for family visits, bbq's and trips to the beach.  All of these wonderful associations with this holiday weekend really do not have anything to do with the original intended purpose of this commemoration.  The true meaning of the weekend is to recognize the contributions workers have made to the overall strength, prosperity and well being of our country through the labor force.  It has indeed been a challenging year for the those in the work force with high unemployment rates, large layoffs and outsourcing of work. 

Judaism has an ancient relationship with labor hearkening back to the time when we were slaves in Egypt.  This relationship continued over time and came to the fore again in the United States in the early 1900's when Jews were deeply involved in the U.S. labor movement.  The Jewish Labor Committee is still an active organization that supports the rights of all workers and cares for the plight of those who are treated unfairly.  Beyond labor, Jews typically have been a people that cares for  those less fortunate and serves as a religion to improve the status of all - tikkun olam.

There are many ways in our community that we serve to help individuals lead stronger healthier lives.  Federation is so proud of the work done by our Rachel's Table Food Distribution program.  Rachel's Table is a signature project that provides nutritious food to people in the community who can not afford to provide for their families properly.  Many of these recipients are working poor for whom wages do not fully cover their needs.

For the past two years in the fall, Rachel's Table has run a Gleaning Project that is steeped in Jewish tradition.  Funded by grants from a variety of sources, including the Jewish Endowment Foundation, the agencies that distribute food on behalf of Rachel's Table are given farm fresh produce for their clients.  Already begun for this season, teens in the community have picked  produce and delivered the bounty to local soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters.  This will continue through the fall.   This project serves two important needs:

1) Over 10,000 pounds of produce is rescued and delivered in the Pioneer Valley.
2) Our young volunteers perform the mitzvot associated with gleaning and caring for others in need.

As we celebrate Labor Day, let's remember those who have set the standard for us to make sure we live in a country that treats our labor force fairly and justly in a manner congruent with our very own Jewish tradition.