Va-yera 5773

A tale of contrasts:  Abraham welcomes guests with milk, bread, and beef while “a certain woman,” widowed and in debt, has nothing in her home but a jug of oil. 

We tell both stories this week.  In the Torah portion Va-yera, Genesis 18:1-21:7, there is plenty.  In the Haftarah for Va-yera, 2 Kings 4:1-37, there is want.  And so it is in our society:  bounty and need exist side by side.

Some families eat nutritious food, while others consume chemicals and empty calories.

Some neighborhoods have access to grocery stores and fresh produce is readily available.  Others are served by mini-marts and alcohol is readily available.

Some families have enough all month long; others only eat until the pay check runs out. 

Some families chose to eat out; others chose between food and medication.

Some farmers are paid to grow nothing; some farmers can’t afford to buy seed.

This Friday night, November 2, Temple Emanuel joins over 200 synagogues and Jewish groups across the country in marking Global Hunger Shabbat.  A table will provide information on food and hunger related issues during the nosh.  It’s a great opportunity to learn about food insecurity, US Food Aid, the Farm Bill and the 1 billion people who go hungry every day.

This is the third Global Hunger Shabbat, sponsored by American Jewish World Service (www.ajws.org).  We are the only site in Arizona—thank you to Arnold Maltz for organizing!

This special Shabbat, we are asked to consider and act:  “How does our tradition inspire us? How do we use our power as American Jews to make a difference in the lives of people facing hunger in the developing world? How can we be more effective in our role as advocates and catalysts for change?”