When I see a single mother and her young child sitting at the BART station I frequent and asking for change, a range of possible actions goes through my head. I could drop a dollar in her hat and walk by; I could stop and say hello and maybe even run to the store to pick up food or diapers for the child; or I could simply walk by. Regardless of what I choose to do, the sad reality remains. There must be another way to ensure that this young family does not need to keep asking for change.
I know many people find themselves in similar dilemmas, wondering how to really improve the lives of people in poverty. Sometimes we all feel helpless when it comes to making real change. The statistics are staggering. Currently, more than 46.9 million (15 percent) of Americans live in poverty. In California alone, nearly six million people — 22 percent of the population — and approximately 93,000 (12 percent) of San Franciscans live in poverty (according to the Federal Poverty Level definition, a family of four that earns less than $22,000 annually lives in poverty). These are intimidating numbers, and it is understandable that we often falter when considering the best way to help those in need.
Recently, I heard Rita Shimmin, co-executive director of Glide Memorial Church, say that Glide addresses poverty by first and foremost recognizing the humanity in each person. In Hebrew, it is referred to as b’tselem elohim, seeing the divine spark in each human being. This is what the faith community has always been about, offering a welcome smile and a warm meal, and serving the immediate needs of individuals and families.
At a recent San Francisco Faith Summit on Poverty, the clergy, community organizers and lay leaders present addressed the question of how do we take that message of b’tselem elohim to our legislators and call for changes in our public policy that reduce poverty. In my role as the director of legislative affairs and intergroup relations for the S.F.-based Jewish Community Relations Council, I have seen firsthand how a collective body of people of faith has the power to be the voice for reasonable, sound public policy, on behalf of those with no voice. We must advocate for policies that ensure basic needs are met, and move our brothers and sisters out of poverty, providing them with opportunities to change their own fortunes.
Poverty eradication is an issue that Jewish communities have been tackling for centuries. Historically, Jewish communities have pooled resources to care for those in need. Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, clearly stated in a post on Jewish Response to Poverty the centrality of the collective body in rooting out poverty:
“Jewish tradition never viewed the obligation to help the poor just as an individual mitzvah. It is a societal responsibility, as well … We recognize today that governmental responses and individual responses must work in tandem if we are to effectively ameliorate global poverty.”
Tonight as I go home for Shabbat, and see the young mother and her child at the BART station, I will be strengthened by my faith, inspired to promote a better future for those in need. I will say hello to her, recognizing the humanity and value (b’tselem elohim) in this young mother, but I will also advocate for changes to our government and to our society that ensure that one day soon, this mother will no longer need to be asking for help at BART.
Please join me in advocating for a society that takes care of those in need. Come together for the Jewish community’s Advocacy Day in Sacramento on May 20-21.
Jessica Trubowitch is the director of legislative affairs and intergroup relations for the S.F.-based Jewish Community Relations Council. Find information on Advocacy Day at www.jpac-cal.org.