From Purim to Passover: How to Support Our Community in Need
On March 24th, we celebrate the Purim holiday. It is a day that allows us to make noise in the synagogue during the megillah reading, dress in costume, eat a scrumptious Purim meal, give gifts of Mishloach manot (Purim baskets are available from the Federation–check out our website), and give matanot l’evyonim- monetary gifts to our poor brethren so that they too can enjoy this day. Jewish law goes so far as to say, “When a person asks for alms on Purim, we should not send them away empty-handed.”
Then, a mere 15 days later, beginning on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, April 9th, we are instructed to donate to the Maot Chitim (money for wheat) fund to ensure that the poor person will be able to purchase their needs for Passover. While Matza is only flour and water, due to the extreme measures taken to ensure that the dough has not become leavened before baking, it is more expensive than regular bread, as are most of the kosher products for Passover use. Not to mention the other delicacies consumed during our Seder and the week of Passover.
What I always found strange and amazing is that both the Purim and Passover “fundraisers” are successful. How could it be that people aren’t tapped out by the first one? 15 or even 30 days is not a major amount of time to generate income, allowing one to give more tzedakah (charity). But, as we see every year, both are effective.
I believe that the reason for their success is that, in both cases, it addresses an immediate need, namely, for people to be able to afford food for the upcoming holiday. Many times, when I am shopping and experiencing the “sticker shock” when purchasing food, I have wondered how people who are either underpaid or living on assistance can make it. At that moment, I thank G-d that I have the wherewithal and am more motivated to donate. Now add to that an upcoming family holiday which we will all celebrate with friends and family, which magnifies our feelings of generosity, so when we receive a solicitation, we are more apt to give even more than usual. Maybe that is why the Rabbis fixed these two calendar times to donate to these special funds.
In that vein, I want to announce the upcoming Maot Chitim drive at Jewish Family Services for our Virtual Food Pantry. Currently, we are servicing between 20-23 families with a projected yearly cost of $21k. Eligible families receive a gas card and/or gift cards to either Martins, Meijer, Midwest Premium Kosher and/or Walmart. These cards allow the family to buy the provisions they need. Invariably, prior to Passover, we are alerted to more families who are in need during this time, so we must be able to provide.
Please help us ensure our families are provided for during this Passover Festival by donating to our Virtual Food Pantry. This year’s goal is $8,000. You, our community members, have always been generous and allowed us to meet our goal, thus enabling us to serve our constituency. Please help us continue this important service.
As we say at the beginning of our Seder, “This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat, and all who are needy come and celebrate the Passover…”
The fundraiser is set, G-d willing, to launch on March 25th! If you want to donate before that, please mark it as “Passover Appeal.”
On behalf of Jewish Family Services, may we all have a happy, healthy, and joyous Purim & Passover.
Rabbi Fred Nebel
Jewish Family Services Director
574-233-1164 x1806
RabbiNebel@TheJewishFed.org