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Hello <<First Name>>,
On behalf of Judea Reform’s Social Action Committee, I hope that you are healthy and practicing appropriate social/physical distancing to protect you and those close to you.
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC), wrote beautifully in this blog post about how to respond as Jews:
“As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates, many of us are grappling with a newfound vulnerability. It is natural to worry about our families and communities as we confront a major crisis and the question of how a community ought to respond to serious danger comes up throughout our sacred texts. …
“The Torah connects our experience of slavery with a command to have empathy for all those who are least protected by society. Over and over again, the biblical text connects our experience of slavery with a radical empathy for all those who suffer.” >>Read the full post
This pandemic affects everyone - and as always, those most vulnerable are most at risk. Quite a few members of Judea Reform are health care professionals or work in ways that are leading the response to COVID 19. We are so grateful to them and I think each of us is saying a special prayer for every one of them. But others of us are looking for ways to help. If you are able, we’ll share some ways to help below. If you are among those more vulnerable, including newly vulnerable due to lost income and lost physical connections to your community, we have some information for you, too. See the “volunteer” and “get help” links below.
We’ve identified four ways to make a difference in these very uncertain times. While not every activity is appropriate for everyone, we hope you’ll find something that feels right to you:
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Reach out and safely connect with others - by phone, email, skype, facetime, taking a walk with someone outdoors (with adequate space, of course), writing a letter or card… you get the idea. Think particularly of folks who may not have someone checking in with them regularly. And join Judea for our virtual sing-alongs and services through our livestream funded by the Daniel Weiss Fund.
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Donate Funds (see list below) - Many of the organizations serving the most vulnerable, need money to be able to purchase in bulk and reduce the need for volunteers who might have sorted incoming food donations. If you are able to share financial resources, please consider making financial contributions to groups providing nutrition support to those who need help.
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Volunteer - Some organizations need volunteers to do remote service right now, but others need healthy, low-risk volunteers to fulfill essential services (packing or delivering food boxes, serving “to-go” meals at the shelter). If you and your family are all in a low-risk group, look for groups that are protecting volunteers by working in small groups, promoting healthy practices (proper handwashing, use of gloves, etc).
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Advocate - Speak up for those who have less of a voice. Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and many people’s regular jobs and income have suddenly evaporated with business closures. The RAC lays out a clear call for Congress to protect those most vulnerable to the coronavirus, and you can use the RAC’s online tool to encourage elected officials to take concrete action toward that end.
DONATE FUNDS - VOLUNTEER - GET HELP
Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC <https://foodbankcenc.org/> is providing food to partner organizations, agencies and individuals serving the most vulnerable in a 34 county area (including the counties where most Judea Reform congregants live and work).
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The need is great and money is the best way to help
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Local Food Banks need healthy volunteers in small groups
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The same link can help you find food resources near you if you, or someone near you, need help.
DPS (Durham Public Schools) Foundation <https://www.bullcityschools.org/> works closely with Durham Public Schools to provide critical needs including necessary meals and remote learning support as schools move to distance learning.
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Funds are essential.
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As of today, DPS Foundation seeks some healthy volunteers to deliver meals this weekend to families in need bit.ly/dpsfvolunteer (Generally, staff are delivering food and educational resources via school bus to communities in greatest need).
Urban Ministries of Durham <https://www.umdurham.org/> - continues to providing housing and meals for homeless and people in need (and we are continuing to provide and serve dinner this Sunday and presumably the fourth Sunday of months to come).
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Funds are essential for Urban Ministries to continue its work.
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We are adapting how we make casseroles for the monthly dinner at UMD’s If you are able to make a casserole for this Sunday’s dinner at Urban Ministries, please contact Judy Holland <judyedholland@gmail.com>.
YOUR ORGANIZATIONS
Many of the groups that have been important to you and your family are continuing to offer services and need your engagement and support going forward. Please be on the lookout for ways to safely participate and keep yourself connected - while socially distant - as we all work together (but apart) to slow the spread of this Corona Virus.
Consider ordering take out from your favorite restaurants and eateries to support them and their staff during this uncertain time.
Feel free to share ideas, experiences, or thoughts with the social action team… between washing hands, not-touching your face, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding physical contact with others.
See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for information on COVID-19.
Wishing you good health,
Marian and the Social Action Team
email SocialAction@JudeaReform.org or Marian.Abernathy@gmail.com
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