Tag: World Central Kitchen

Keep your eye on the ball – Focus on the Truth

The truth is hard to find. We often argue over the “what happened” instead of searching for the real truth.

Hunger in Gaza is real. Accusations of false pictures or the number of trucks entering Gaza distract us from the fact that people there are suffering from a lack of food and water.

Yes, horrible famines are occurring in other parts of the world, such as Yemen and Sudan. That we are not assisting the hungry is shameful. However, the starvation there does not diminish the suffering in Gaza.

Who’s responsible?

There is no shortage of blame to go around. Hamas cynically uses civilians as pawns of war. Israel blocked humanitarian aid while trying to bring Gaza to capitulation, and the US has let these tactics continue. Other countries have done little to provide aid or creative solutions. The Palestinian people are also partly responsible for their situation in Gaza. We all share in the tragedy affecting the Palestinian people.

There is no shortage of blame. But we can take control now. The airdrops of food are one part of the solution. Expanding food stations in Gaza from the current four managed by the GHF is also essential. And we can give money to World Central Kitchen and other groups on the ground providing hot meals.  If we “flood the zone” with food and water, we will eliminate the ability to profiteer from food shortages.

We can do this now.  It is our responsibility and duty. We cannot stand by while our neighbor’s children wither.

#BringThemHomeNow

 

 

Let People Eat

I am heartsick that the WCK team was murdered while on their mission to feed the hungry.

I have long supported Chef Andres’s sacred mission at World Central Kitchen. In fact, in our fundraising efforts, WCK was the beneficiary of the proceeds along with Magen David Adom.

As Chef Andres states in his OpEd, Israel is better than this. And regardless of whatever the investigation of this tragedy will find, Israel must ensure that food aid gets to the hungry and those providing it are protected.

I am praying for the innocents who have been lost and those suffering.

What do I do?

It is overwhelmingly hard to watch others suffer.   This anguish drives some to act, while others feel helpless, turn their heads, and walk away.   But this response to inhuman suffering diminishes their humanity by ignoring what they see with their eyes and walking away. None of us can walk away. But what can we do?

I am going to Poland next week. I will bring everything I can muster, my chaplaincy skills, rabbinic skills, and mainly my humanity. I, and my colleagues, will each be carrying bags of supplies-food, clothing, medicine, toiletries. We will do what we can, knowing we cannot stop the suffering but helping those suffering through compassion and empathy. You can help too.

Contribute what you can to the humanitarian organizations on the ground, both here and there. The JCC in Krakow, Poland, Joint Distribution Committee, World Central Kitchen, and Doctors without Borders; are the places I support. Give what you can; the need is great.

I will come home with stories of all kinds, sad and heartbreaking, grateful. I want to share what I learn to help us better understand what is happening there and also to us. It is about humanity and our future. So invite me to your communities to share these stories so we remain aware and committed to helping others in need for their sake and ours.

 

 

 

Do not stand idly by


Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is being shed- Lev 19:16

There is something we can do; Contribute to the organizations on the ground aiding the victims of war.  Choose from among many humanitarian groups trying to ease the suffering.  Consider a donation to Doctors without Borders; HIAS, JDC, World Central Kitchen.  Everything helps, no amount is too small.  Thank you.