Professionals, lay leaders and human service agency executives from more than 50 Jewish Federations across the United States met with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to educate them about “financial vulnerability” within the Jewish community and to advocate for continued “essential federal aid” for communities across the country, Jewish Federations of North America announced.
Throughout roughly 20 meetings on Wednesday, Federation leaders urged lawmakers to strengthen and maintain Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Supplemental Security Income, among others. These programs “provide a crucial safety net for Jewish families, seniors, and other vulnerable populations,” Federations stated.
“Some 20 percent of Jewish households around the United States either cannot make ends meet or are just managing to make ends meet, and one out of three Holocaust survivors here live in poverty,” said David Goldfarb, senior director of Jewish Federations Strategic Health Center.
The group also advocated for the passage of the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, which would increase the program’s asset limits. Currently, individuals must have less than $2000 in their savings account to qualify for SSI. Such an update to SSI would “ensure that recipients can save for emergencies and other basic needs without putting their benefits at risk,” Federations stated.
“Financial insecurity affects every aspect of Jewish life, from access to critical health and human services, participation in synagogue life and community activities, and access to nutritious Kosher food,” said Jason Wuliger, chair of Jewish Federations of North America’s Public Affairs Committee.
“For generations, the Jewish Federation network has been a cornerstone of community strength and resilience, and our generous donors help fill many gaps, but the federal government is an indispensable partner in helping people overcome poverty,” he added.