For Passover, the JCPA along with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, is once again offering a phenomenal mobilizing event through which JRF communities, congregations from every Jewish stream and local JCRCs can engage community members in meaningful anti-poverty advocacy: The Hunger Seder.

Hunger Seder participants observe the ancient traditions of Pesach (Passover) in the context of a stark reality: that too many of our fellow Americans are still going hungry. The Seder serves a vital purpose and presents a call to action for the American Jewish community to end hunger America.

Hunger Seder Guide: http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/c/627/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=9867

In the coming weeks, as Congress works to reauthorize the 2012 Farm Bill, we are confronted with an opportunity to protect and strenghten anti-hunger and nutrition programs that assst hungry Americans. This omnibus legislation impacts everything from agricultural production and federal food assistance programs, to conservation practices that protect the land, air and water from harmful pollution or abuse.

We are urging JRF Communities to hold the Hunger Seders around the nation during the week before and during Passover, March and April 2012. There will be a JCPA/MAZON National Seder held in the Nation's capital. The JCPA has secured the commitment of a number of Jewish denominational movements and youth groups to promote participation in these Seders to their local affiliates.

As the debate grows near, we call upon Congress to prioritize reducing hunger and poverty through a just Farm Bill (see the Jew & the Carrot blog posting here: http://blogs.forward.com/the-jew-and-the-carrot/152276/advocating-for-a-just-farm-bill-on-capitol-hill/)

We recognize that putting together a Hunger Seder is a big commitment. The JCPA has tried to anticipate the resources that you and your community will need to participate. In addition to the resources provided in this memo, we will be sending out sample op-eds and letters to the editor, legislative updates, and will arrange best practice sharing calls in the months to come in order to help facilitate your community's engagement.

Though the Seder is a one-time event, it is meant to serve as a gateway to engage participants in more sustained anti-poverty advocacy. Part of the planning process will also be to develop structures and relationships through which future advocacy and activism can be more easily planned and more quickly implemented.

If you have any questions on hunger and mobilizing your community around the legislation, or questions on implementing the Seder in your community and/or how to best partner with your local Jewish Community Relations Council, please contact Josh Protas

JRF Anti-Hunger and Poverty Initiatives:

http://www.jrf.org/hunger
http://www.jrf.org/omer2008-hunger
http://jrf.org/omer/2006/intro