Category: Travel
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Shirley Sherrod, Black Farmers & MAZON
Aug 3rd 2010
It would be an absurd overstatement to say that we were friends, but it is true that some 20 years ago, along with Irv Cramer, then the executive director of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, I spent the better part of a week traveling through Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, a trip organized for us ... 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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Avoiding Darfive
Oct 2nd 2009
It is often in the absurd that poignant insights are provided. In his new movie, Brüno, Sacha Baron Cohen’s character responds to a question regarding his social involvement: “Darfur is old news…what about Darfive.” He is commenting on our need to move on to what is fashionable and that human tragedies go in and out ... continue reading »
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Darfuri Refugees’ Letter to President Obama
Sep 22nd 2009
Guereda, Eastern Chad Rosh Hashana 2009 As a rabbi I sit here welcoming in the new year with Darfuri refugees, people of great courage, strength and determination. I am here to celebrate the opportunity of a new year, with people who need not just our prayers but also our actions. I have spent the day ... continue reading »
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A New Year: Is There Hope For The Darfuri People, For Us?
Sep 18th 2009
No one says it…but the uneasy feeling was palpable. I could see the questions in their eyes: Why are you going to spend Rosh Hashanah in Darfuri refugee camps in Eastern Chad? Why would a rabbi welcome the Jewish New Year in a place where there are no Jews? Do you really think going will ... 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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El Salvador Days 6 and 7 (March 15 and 16, 2009)
May 1st 2009
March 16, 2009 marked a day in history for the El Salvadorian people and we were able to be a part of it as we witnessed the nation’s presidential elections as international observers. At 5 a.m. we entered a polling place, a high school, in the southern part of San Salvador. In El Salvador, citizens ... continue reading »
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El Salvador Days 4 and 5 (March 13 and 14, 2009)
May 1st 2009
The past day and half has been incredible. On Friday morning we made the two-hour drive to Chalatenago in the northern part of the country. We met with the leaders form the community of Guarjila to discuss their partnership with SHARE as the CCR, a grassrooots board of leaders in the neighboring communities. Many of ... continue reading »
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El Salvador Day 3 (March 12, 2009)
May 1st 2009
We spent the day in the southeast region of El Salvador visiting two cooperative programs. After our hour and a half bus ride, we visited Los Frailes cooperative with CONFRAS, a grassroots organization that cultivates organic and agro-ecological basic grains and vegetables. CONFRAS, with the support of SHARE, organizes the Peasant to Peasant program, where ... continue reading »
