As Thought Leaders it is our responsibility to turn ideas into reality. Together we can raise awareness surrounding National Recovery Awareness and Hunger Awareness months, this September.

National Recovery Awareness Month

Every September, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation sponsors Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use issues and celebrate the people who recover.

Why Should Jewish Organizations Rent Space to Addiction Recovery Meetings

Why Should Jewish Organizations Rent Space to Addiction Recovery Meetings, by Beth Fishman
jcfs chicago

One of the goals of Jewish Child & Family Services of Chicago's Jewish Center for Addiction is to encourage Jewish communal organizations such as synagogues and JCCs to open their spaces to 12-Step and other peer support meetings. Oftentimes congregations that have considered such action have decided against doing so because it was felt none of their own congregants would want to attend a 12-Step meeting at their own synagogue due to anonymity/confidentiality concerns. Continue reading here.

Hunger Awareness Month

Every September Feeding America, a a nationwide network of food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States sponsors Hunger Awareness Month. Hunger exists in every community of our country. Nearly 50 million people in the United States today are hungry or food insecure. Yet in this country, we will throw away over 133 billion pounds of good food this year, while 1 in 6 people struggle to get enough to eat.

Every year at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we gather as a community to reflect upon the past year, with an eye toward making meaningful changes as we contemplate our futures. Our reflection may be inwardly focused as an individual, but we engage in this process together.

And toge

ther, we can work to create lasting change.

Together as Jews, we can engage in tikkun olam and tzedakah, the Jewish ideals that ground MAZON's mission and provide a strong foundation for people around the world to live "Jewishly."

Hunger doesn't just affect third world countries or homeless people;it literally lives right next door. Hunger exists in every city, county and state across the country - no community is spared. But we can change the harsh reality of hunger and promote justice for the 48.1 million (that's 1 in 7) Americans struggle to put enough food on the table every day.

What can be done? To truly end hunger in America, we must not only that we feed people today, but also we urge our government not to weaken the safety net on which so many people have to rely. We must advocate together to improve the policies that are our nation's frontline against food insecurity. We must strengthen - not tear down - the 15 distinct government food and nutrition assistance programs that ensure that hungry Americans get the nutritious food they need.

If we work together, we can change lives.

Jewish Child & Family Service of Winnipeg sent this poster to partners for Hunger Awareness Week in an effort to collect non-perishable food items during the week of Yom Kippur.

Four Facts for Food Stamps
Four Facts for Food Stamps, May 18, 2015, by Kevin Plissner

When I began my internship with the Solutions to Senior Hunger program last September, all I could have told you about food stamps was that they existed. However, I believe in knowing what I represent, and since my internship with JFS is outreach to help

people sign-up for the government's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), I've learned about the program. Click here for four facts that are important to know about food stamps.

AJFCA will publish thought pieces from our Network relating to
Domestic Violence throughout the month of October.
Contact Megan to submit material.