The last few weeks in the financial markets have mirrored the Jewish calendar in that they, too, could clearly be referred to as “the Days of Awe.” During this time of great chaos and uncertainty, people across our community and around the world are feeling out of control.
To respond to our community’s needs during this time, the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, together with our agency partners across the local community and overseas, is spearheading a number of important initiatives designed to help those who have been particularly affected by the current economic downturn.
Here is a partial list of what we’re working on:
1. Meeting of local agency executives and rabbis —On Friday, Oct. 17, the Federation is convening a meeting of local agency executives and rabbis to ascertain the needs of our community in order to best determine how we can work together to meet those needs.
2. Emergency assistance programs —Jewish Family Service reports the number of requests for assistance they are receiving has grown dramatically.
They received in excess of 245 such requests on a single day recently — an unprecedented number.
If you are in need of assistance, please call Jewish Family Service at 303-597-5000. All requests for assistance are kept strictly confidential.
3. Potential emergency relief fund—Just as we have done in response to other crises the Federation is considering the establishment of an emergency relief fund to provide supplemental funds to our partners that will better enable them to meet the increased needs of all those they serve.
Here in Colorado, these dollars could be used to provide additional support for social safety net programs like those I listed above; scholarships to help families pay for child care, religious and day school tuition, and even after school care and camp programs; and other initiatives designed to help people cope during this critical time.
In addition, these funds could be used to help cover the shortfall created by the devaluation of the dollar against the Israeli shekel.
This devaluation means our partners in Israel like the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Joint Distribution Committee do not have sufficient funds to meet their basic operating needs.
When this happens, their ability to provide vital assistance like food, medicine, heat and trauma counseling to thousands in Israel and around the world is at risk.
4. Volunteer Opportunities —Research shows that one of the best ways to cope during a time of distress is by reaching out to others during their time of need.
The Federation is cultivating a list of volunteer opportunities throughout the community — both Jewish and non-Jewish — and will be posting them on our community website within the next couple of weeks.
But there’s no need to wait for an official list to be posted—you can get involved right now in a way that’s meaningful to you: read to the kids at a school in your neighborhood, sort food at a food pantry, deliver meals-on-wheels, donate blood — the possibilities are endless.
5. Community Master Plan — Our community is in the initial phase of the “Jewish Colorado Tomorrow” community capital and endowment campaign.
More than a large fundraising effort, this campaign is founded on the idea of the need to create a master plan for our community for the next quarter-century. During the coming weeks, the Federation will be working with the local agencies involved in the initiative to determine how we should move forward together in light of the current economic climate.
While it is possible that the scope and timing of the campaign may be modified in response to this situation, it is also even more obvious now that we must secure the future of our community.
In fact, it’s entirely possible that had we created a master plan like this years ago, we would be better prepared to respond economic downturns like we are experiencing today.
In the meantime, we and our community partners — both local and overseas — are also feeling the pinch of this volatile financial situation.
As a result, even in this economic downturn, we are faced with the task of maintaining (if not increasing) our fundraising efforts in order to keep pace with meeting the needs of those we serve.
That said, many of our donors are also feeling “squeezed” by the economy and are struggling — both financially and emotionally — with decisions regarding their philanthropy.
While Judaism teaches the concept of tithing — literally, donating 10% of your income to charity — it also admonishes us to not give more than 20%. Why?
Because we must never give so much that we, in turn, put ourselves or our families in the position that we would have to receive charity as a result of our own philanthropy.
With that in mind, I want to reassure those donors who are unable at this time to maintain the level of support they have historically given to charitable organizations that it is okay — give what you can, and feel good about what you give. As we say here at the Federation, every dollar counts, and every donor counts.
On the other hand, if you are in a position to give more than you typically give to charity, give more.
Your increased generosity will help make up the difference for your friends and neighbors unable to give as much as they’d like right now.
This week we celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles. The word “sukkah” means “shelter,” and during this time of economic uncertainty, I want our community to know that our goal at the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado — together with our local community agencies, synagogues, and overseas partners — is to provide a sukkat shalom, a “shelter of peace,” for all those affected by the current economy.
Again, if you need help, please call the Federation, Jewish Family Service, or any of our local agencies or synagogues so that we can provide you with the assistance necessary to meet your needs, whatever those needs may be.
During times like this, it is natural for each of us to focus more of our attention on counting our pennies. But, as I sat in services over the High Holy Days, I began to realize that we should, in fact, right now be focusing more of our attention on counting our blessings.
That is what tzedakah is all about — sharing our G-d-given blessings with those less fortunate and, by doing so, creating a sense of justice in the world. In the end, our blessings are what bring true value to our lives, regardless of the fluctuating size of our bank accounts.
May we each enjoy a year filled with health, happiness, prosperity, and peace.
