The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans is one of over 650 Jewish organizations and leaders that signed on to the following national statement, which was sent to members of Congress, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, and the Administration for Community Living:
Jewish Community Statement Calling for Expanded Access to Nutrition Assistance Due to Coronavirus Crisis
Led by National Council of Jewish Women and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
The coronavirus crisis is not only a national health pandemic, but a time of urgent concern for those who are most vulnerable in our country; those at economic risk are facing dire consequences right now. On behalf of the undersigned Jewish clergy and organizations, we call on the Administration and Congress to work together to increase and expand access to federal nutrition assistance for food insecure Americans in the wake of the coronavirus crisis (COVID-19). Our Jewish texts and traditions command us again and again to feed the hungry, care for the poor, and safeguard those who are most vulnerable — to not “harden [our] heart[s] or shut [our] hand[s] against [our] poor brethren” in need (Deuteronomy 15:7). This has never been more important than now.