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Fighting Hunger in the “Hunger Capitol” of America
Feb 25th 2010
I was pleased last week to be invited on a panel of anti-hunger experts to address a gathering of the Westside Democratic Club. In the picture (from left to right) are panel moderator and attorney-activist, Ron Galperin; me; Frank Tamborello from Hunger Action LA; Matt Sharp from California Food Policy Advocates; and Michael Flood, head ... continue reading »
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Oregon: Ending Hunger Before It Begins
Dec 14th 2009
On December 4th, a crowd of over 100 community activists, scholars, elected officials gathered in Salem, Oregon to spend a day focusing on “Ending Hunger Before it Begins”. The conference was hosted by Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and OHTF, the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force (a long time MAZON grantee). I had the pleasure ... continue reading »
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Go You Forth Concert Review
Oct 26th 2009
At the Touro Synagogue in New Orleans on Oct. 15th, I am present to witness the amazing spirit of music transforming a social movement. The event is “Go You Forth” – a benefit concert featuring Ellis Marsalis (now in his 80s), The Green Pastures Baptist Choir (from the Bronx) and the spiritually-inspiring voice and music ... continue reading »
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Seizing the Moment
Sep 9th 2009
by H. Eric Schockman, Ph.D. Every year at the High Holy Days, I am reminded of an old family friend whose unflagging optimism always fueled my great admiration. ”How are things going?” I would ask whenever our paths would cross, to which he would make the inevitable reply: ”Today is going to be the best ... continue reading »
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The Power of Interfaith Hunger Advocacy
Aug 18th 2009
I have just returned from keynoting a speech at a conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches. It was held at a rustic retreat center on beautiful Lake Geneva in Williams Bay (about an hour from Milwaukee). The theme of the interfaith conference was “The Earth Speaks: Hunger, Our Spiritual Challenge”. My speech pertained ... continue reading »
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Searching for the Promised Land
Apr 6th 2009
Every year at this time, Jews around the world celebrate Passover, which marks the ancient Israelite’s exodus from Egyptian slavery and a period of desert wandering that lasted 40 years. It seems appropriate, as we continue to descend into a downward economic spiral of historic proportions, that Americans of all faiths and backgrounds consider the ... continue reading »
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“Let All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat”
Mar 31st 2009
As the weather grows warmer and the days grow longer, American Jews are preparing to celebrate Passover. Every spring, we remember our people’s escape from bondage and flight to freedom with songs and stories read from the Haggadah, our traditional guide to the Seder meal. Our primary symbol is a very simple one: matzo, the ... continue reading »
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MAZON Mission to South Africa, Day 7
Jan 28th 2008
The MAZON mission started our day with a visit to the shanty-town of Alex (short for Alexandris). It was for many years called the ‘dark city’. Until 10 years ago there was no running water, sewage, electricity and was never accepted as part of the municipality of Johannesburg. It is a very dense place with ... continue reading »
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MAZON Mission to South Africa, Day 4
Jan 25th 2008
The MAZON Mission continued its journey to visit our grantees in the field and see first hand their effects and workings. Yesterday we visited IKAMVA LABANTU (“the future of our nation”). One thing we continue to see in the field of anti-hunger whether it’s in Brooklyn or the townships of Cape Town, is the importance ... continue reading »
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MAZON Mission to South Africa, Day 3
Jan 24th 2008
The MAZON mission started our day visiting one of our newer grantees: African Solutions for African Problems (ASAP). ASAP works at training women in the townships to care and feed for HIV AIDS children. We were all impressed with the level of commitment that the leadership that one individual can make. ASAP has been working ... continue reading »
