It's cold out there ....

While many of us have enough food, a safe place to live and are fortunate enough to be able to stay inside when the temperatures drop below freezing, this is certainly not the case for everyone in New Hampshire. While here in the Granite State there are a range of government agencies, non-profit organizations and others who do their best to assist those in need, that need is great.

I am proud to be able to say that the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire is among that group, providing what limited financial aide we can to those who have fallen on hard times, and are looking for a little help putting food on the table or finding a warm coat to get them through the frigid New England winter.

For some people, these small gestures of aid are enough to get them through a rough spot while they work on finding a job or securing housing, while for others we do our best to connect them with agencies better equipped to provide the support they may need in confronting chronic issues relating to homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, family strife or health issues. In each case, JFNH does it's best to help people however we can, but we know that whatever assistance we do provide, that there are many more people out there who are in need.

As I sit and write this blog post the air outside is frigid once again, and I'm fairly certain that from Portsmouth to Coos County to Keene to Nashua, there are individuals and families worrying about where they will sleep tonight and desperate to figure out their next move. With this in mind I would suggest that the next time you need a new winter coat or are thinking of getting rid of furniture, or maybe volunteering somewhere to help those in need, that you consider one of the many great organizations in Manchester and beyond which help to feed the hungry and provide them with the things that are so simple, yet so important, for everyday life, such as a warm meal or a pair of mittens.

Jewish tradition teaches us that it is incumbent upon us to engage in both Tzedakah (Charity) and Chesed (acts of kindness). When we give something of ourselves, we are not only embodying these Jewish principles, but reaffirming our commitment to democracy and our participation in civil society. As our great sage and teacher Hillel once proclaimed, ""If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?" 

On cold winter days like today, these words resonate with me, reminding me that that however we choose to engage in Tzedakah or Chesed, that with each act, in some small way, we are making the world a better place and fulfilling Hillel's dictum.  I hope they will resonate with you too.

Copyright Daniel E. Levenson 2014.