Shavuot A Reminder of Hunger In America
May 18, 2012 
1 Comment
Shavuot is not the first holiday that comes to mind when someone asks me about Jewish holidays. When I’m asked about my faith, I usually talk about Shabbat services and dinner with my family, regaling them with stories about my family’s obsession with making the utmost of the roast chicken we have every Shabbat (it’s an Olympic sport in my family). Yet as we approach Shavuot, more and more I think it exemplifies much of the best that Judaism has to offer.
On Shavuot we celebrate the handing down of the Ten Commandments to Moses at Mt. Sinai with a late night marathon of Torah study while binging on dairy favorites, like blintzes or fruit and cheese. Some offer a more modern twist: cheesecake and The Ten Commandments.
Food and education have long been central elements of my experience with Judaism. But Shavuot is also a holiday commemorating the summer harvest, which provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the words of Leviticus 23:22: “And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger.”
In the time of the Israelites, whose society was based in agriculture, it was easy to tell how well-off someone was; the amount of land and food they owned was obvious. Today, hunger is a better-hidden evil. It can be too easy to fall through the cracks—indeed, nearly one in five Americans could not afford enough food last year. Leviticus 23:22 reminds us that today as much as in years past, we all share in the obligation to ensure that no one goes hungry.
As Congress moves forward in shaping the latest iteration of the Farm Bill, which governs critical anti-hunger programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps), we must work to ensure that all Americans are afforded the same compassion the Israelites extended to one another many years ago—a solemn commitment that no one should go hungry. Tell Congress today to support critical anti-hunger programs in the 2012 Farm Bill.
I used to work and volunteer for various charities that distrbute food to the “hungry”.. I stopped after I realized much of this is a hoax…. not only by the poor but by certain 501c3 nonprofit orgs…. in fact on long island… these orgs fought over territory and even burned down a food pantry…. I discovered its the easiest way fo rich people to feel good and get a write off on taxes….yes most mean well. The operators of the various charities pulled all kind of funny accounting practices….They often drove mercedes benz etc… More over in america most poor people are overweight! Send you food to sudan not america….. most of the good food was thrown out! Very often many “poor” show up in new cars or have iphones and 2xpsensive sneakers….and sadly drug habits…. of course I would feed any human being that was suffering…but do not get played by this … people in other countries need help….Israel saved 50000 women and children from Sudan where close to 3millio murdered james ainoris