My previous article laid out the case for the vital importance of community engagement and belonging for our communal and individual emotional wellbeing. As we build pathways to community involvement, let’s consider the added challenges for Jews to afford and access connection to the Jewish community when they are income constrained. We have data and facts now to support what we at JFS here and across the country have seen for years.

A recent study by the Jewish Federations of North America has determined up to 20% of Jewish Americans are struggling to cover basic needs or to be able to handle a crisis situation. For Jewish households with someone with a health issue or disability, that number rises to 30%. What are those basic needs? Housing, transportation, food, medication and health care, utilities, child care are but a few examples. This list does not include the hallmarks of Jewish life- Jewish education, synagogue and JCC membership, bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, ritual meals and holiday celebration expenses, Jewish camp and other religious experiences. We know in the hierarchy of needs, basic needs must be attended to first. What does this mean on a practical basis? We may not be serving all those in the Jewish world who desire and need that connection. Over time, those left behind because they cannot access or participate in community are broken links in the fabric of our heritage.

This concept is reflected in other data- 46% of financially vulnerable Jews say they feel connected within the Jewish community, compared to 58% of the overall Jewish population (JFNA statistics). Much has been studied about the impact of Oct 7th upon our communities and how vital relationships with other Jews and the feeling of belonging is to navigate these difficult times. Since Oct 7th, 43% of Jews are indicating they are seeking greater engagement in the community, but financially vulnerable Jews are finding it still challenging, with 21% of them experiencing more loneliness or distance from community.

What are these barriers to access community? They aren’t only financial. First is awareness of the issue. If financially vulnerable Jews find it difficult to be in communal spaces, how do other Jews see their need and experience? Second, we are potentially impacted by societal bias about our own population as being wealthy and without much financial struggle. Think about the disparity revealed by TEN about how Jews are represented in film and television- we are 10 times more likely to be seen in film and television as wealthy than as Jews experiencing poverty, as opposed to the reality that more than a quarter of Jewish households report financial struggle. Third, financially vulnerable Jews face other barriers- where are they able to afford to live? How do they get to services and events? Who is in their environment to socialize with? How do they create opportunities for their children to be around other Jewish children if they cannot afford those activities?

How we address these barriers and build bridges for everyone to access community is a longer and larger discussion, but there are things we can and are implementing now.

1. Be informed- gather and share information about the reality of financial struggle within our community
2. Emphasize information about how to access grants and supports within the community that already exist for memberships, education, program scholarships. Many times people who need those supports to belong do not know about them or feel embarrassed to ask.
3. Connect to and support efforts at JFS to meet basic needs through emergency funds, Popsie’s Pantry and case management. Meeting basic needs creates space for engagement.
4. Reduce the stigma associated with financial challenges by acknowledgement of its reality. We can adapt how we talk to our kids, how we talk amongst ourselves, and how we structure initiatives in our organizations.

“May the dignity of your fellow be as dear to you as your own” - Pirkei Avot. May we all find the strength to continue our good work to build a community that exemplifies this deeply held Jewish value of inclusivity and mutual respect.

This article was written by Julie