3rd Annual Focus & Fight Poverty: Get Involved

Education, Action and Advocacy: these are the three components of Focus and Fight Poverty, a week of action to renew the annual commitment by the Greater Seattle Jewish community to fight poverty. The need for our Jewish community to come together to address poverty has never been greater. Now in its third year, Focus and Fight will be held during the holiday of Sukkot. On September 22-29, Jewish organizations and individuals will work collectively to alleviate poverty and recommit to tikkun olam (repair the world) through a series of coordinated events and activities.

There are a number of ways you can get involved. A great way to start is by participating in Day at the Market on Sunday, September 26 from 11am-2pm. Six Seattle farmers markets and grocery stores will host community run sukkot (booths) as we collect fresh produce, non-perishable items and monetary contributions for Seattle's local food banks. Area synagogues are adopting the sukkot and organizing the collections. Ask your synagogue or Jewish agency staff which market they will be sponsoring. Another way to get involved is by attending a talk given by the highly trained, engaging speakers from Real Change Speaker's Bureau. They will be sharing their personal stories of homelessness at synagogues and group meetings throughout the week.

If advocacy is where your heart is, join us at the Community Advocacy Roundtable on September 27. The Roundtable will help you understand anti-poverty issues more clearly and how to take understanding a step further by learning how to advocate for those issues. You also can sign a pre-printed post card to your local Legislators supporting policies related to poverty in Washington State. They will be available at all Focus and Fight events.

"Seattle Jews create a strong voice when we join together to help fight poverty in our community," commented Jessica Smith, Focus and Fight committee chairperson.

There are other events and activities planned for the week. You can learn more, take action, advocate and make a real difference. For more information please visit www.JewishInSeattle.org/FightPoverty.

Focus and Fights Poverty 2010 Sponsors* (As of 8/13/10)
Caroline Kline Galland Center, Chabad of the Central Cascades, Chabad of Greater Seattle, Congregation Beth Shalom, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation, Jewish Family Service, Seattle Kollel, Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Northwest Yeshiva High School, Stroum Jewish Community Center, Temple B'nai Torah.

*If your synagogue or favorite agency is not listed, contact the staff to find out why.