Mar 31st 2008, 00:00

Dear Friends,

There is a lot of talk these days about the economy. Now, I went to college for many years and consider myself a very well-rounded and well-educated person. But if there is something I understand very little about, it is exactly how the economy works. More than that, I listen to all the reports on the radio and television and I hardly understand the language. One thing I do understand, however, is how much things cost me, even if I don’t understand why prices fluctuate so much. One thing also seems abundantly clear: that many people are really hurting. Whether their own fault or the fault of unscrupulous lenders, it is painful to hear stories of people losing their homes and others having to choose between gasoline for their car and food for their children.

This month we will celebrate our festival of Passover when we remember the Exodus from Egypt. Tradition tells us that we have to see ourselves as though we too went forth from slavery to freedom. We don’t just tell the story; we live it and experience it. The reason for this is that we can’t understand something unless we internalize it ourselves. That is why we literally taste the bitterness of bondage, why we eat the bread of affliction, and why we eat the Seder meal as free people. It’s a recreation intended to place ourselves inside of history.

Also happening this month is the annual Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk. This event is intended to raise awareness of and money for those locally and globally who experience hunger every day. The theme is “We Walk Because They Walk,” and just like the Passover Seder, the CROP Walk is intended to remind us of the plight of those who have to walk miles just to get safe drinking water or find food for their families. It’s one thing to talk about hunger and homelessness and quite another to experience it personally.

There is no question that, given the state of the economy, no matter how difficult it is for most of us, it is far worse for millions of Americans and countless others around the world. That is why I feel it especially important now to participate in the CROP Hunger Walk. I am also proud that the Fullerton Interfaith Ministerial Association is the major sponsor of the event.

If you are available on Sunday, April 27^th (coincidently the 8^th day of Passover), I would encourage you to join me in participating in the Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk. We have registration packets here at the Temple. Half the money you raise from family and friends stays here in our community, and the other half you can designate to several charitable organizations (Jewish and non-Jewish). Children and adults of all ages are welcome to walk and t-shirts are only $1.00. If you cannot walk yourself, please consider making a donation by sending it to me here at Temple (payable to TBT). Remember, we eat matzah because our ancestors ate matzah. We walk because they walk!

Lech L’shalom – May you go in peace,