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Caring for the Needy Among Us

11/10/2020 08:59:19 AM

Nov10

Rabbi Brad Levenberg

I recall sitting with our congregant Larry Weiner in a room at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, when we heard what at the time were rather staggering figures about the rise of homelessness in our area. The speaker was a representative from Family Promise, a national organization with a rather interesting response to homelessness that was looking to open a local chapter. Larry and I and others were inspired by the presentation and urged on by the impending winter months on the horizon to act and act quickly. Thus, Family Promise of North Fulton/DeKalb was born and Temple Sinai, just a few months later, signed on as the founding congregational partner.

Over the years, our participation as a congregation has helped Family Promise continue its mission of housing homeless families from our neck of the woods. And I know that our congregants who have volunteered have found their participation to be worthwhile and meaningful.

Recently, our efforts as a congregation have expanded with regard to our response to homelessness. Yes, we still host Family Promise several times a year (and, yes, volunteers are still needed!). But we have recently renewed our partnership with the Zaban Paradies Center (and, yes, volunteers are still needed!) and we have offered to assist and support Rebecca’s Tent, a response to homelessness at Shearith Israel. Temple Sinai, The Temple, and Shearith Israel, as well as partner synagogues like Or Chadash and Congregation B'nai Torah, all uniting to respond to this very real challenge confronting our city, and doing so by lifting high our Jewish values associated with caring for the needy among us.

I know that for some of us, the issue of homelessness in our community is rather opaque. We don’t know the numbers, the demographics, where people go, and how they are handling the pandemic. Which is why, on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 pm, Adrienne Hamilton-Butler, and Claire Rueben, representatives of two homeless shelters, will speak with us about homelessness in Atlanta and how the pandemic has greatly impacted both shelter services as well as the homeless population in metro Atlanta. Click here for more information and the link to join us.

As we get our coats ready for cooler temperatures, as we begin our preparations for Thanksgiving feasts, let us use this time to be both thankful for what we have and explore how we can be of assistance to those truly in need in our community.

With wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Brad

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784