MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Jul 7th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

Recently, About.com Health asked Adam Drewnowski, the director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, for a list of affordable foods that are still healthy. The foods – beans, eggs, bananas, potatoes, yogurt & ground beef – are staples not just for the consumer (although after seeing Food, Inc., I ... continue reading »

Jun 24th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

“Hunger can be a positive motivator.” This shocking statement came from Missouri State Representative Cynthia Davis’ June 2009 “Capitol Report” as part of her argument against the Summer Food Service Program. Rep. Davis is Chair of the Missouri House of Representative’s Special Committee on Children and Families, Interim Committee on Poverty & serves on the ... continue reading »

May 28th 2009

by Reena Rexrode

Los Angeles is full of wealth & opportunity, yet I see people in need everyday. A shoeless man walks the Sunset Strip; a teenage runaway sits with his dog on Santa Monica’s Promenade; a veteran asks for money and food on the median in front of the gates of Bel Air; and countless faces push ... continue reading »

May 18th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

I’ve worked here at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger for two years now. In that time, I’ve learned much about hunger, nutrition, health & policy, and our mission statement, “to provide for people who are hungry while at the same time advocating for other ways to end hunger and its causes,” has become deeply ... continue reading »

May 5th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

In a riverside settlement, the villagers noticed a baby in the river, struggling and crying. They all looked on in horror; the baby was going to drown!  One charged into the river to save the baby. The village rejoiced. Then, the villagers noticed another baby in the river, and several rushed in to save that ... continue reading »

May 4th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

The woman who runs the small market downstairs lost her lease. They gave her 25 days notice; last Friday was the 25th. Ironically, it was May Day, a day in which many gathered to celebrate immigrant workers & downtrodden laborers such as her. I don’t know for a fact that this woman is an immigrant ... continue reading »

Apr 6th 2009

by H. Eric Schockman

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 »

Feb 19th 2009

by Ed Yerke-Robins

For information on ordering 2010 Purim cards for mishloach manot, please visit http://mazon.org/go/purimcards. Purim is my favorite holiday, and not just for the spinning graggers & delicious hamantashen. The megillah is an inspiring story of Jewish unity amidst insurmountable struggle. When the wicked Haman threatens brave Mordechai, he turns his wrath not only against him, ... continue reading »

Sep 4th 2008

by Ed Yerke-Robins

The 1973 science fiction film Soylent Green commands attention for its chilling prescience. Set in 2022 New York, the film depicts a grim future overheated by pollution and overpopulated with hungry people. Without homes, people sleep in overcrowded apartments, shelters, and streets. Without jobs, people work amidst incredible pain and peril for basic sustenance. Without ... continue reading »

Jun 28th 2007

by H. Eric Schockman

I was in our nation’s capital recently for a series of events surrounding National Hunger Awareness Day.  The purpose of the observance is to raise consciousness about the 35 million Americans, including over 12 million kids, who face hunger in this country every day. But the day is about more than just raising awareness.  It’s ... continue reading »