Send page to a Friend Family Homelessness Family Homelessness Family Homelessness General Education Resources Jewish Educational Resources Action Opportunities There were 1,800 homeless families living in transitional shelters or motels in Massachusetts in 2001. Meanwhile, there were 8,000 additional families that had not approached the system or did not qualify for transitional assistance. Texts such as the following remind us that Jewish tradition mandates caring for the homeless: "Mah tovu ohalecha Ya'acov, mishkenotecha Yisrael--how good are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel."  The Israelites, like any people, defined themselves by the community they shared.  What is a community without the individual means of shelter that keep its members safe and protected?  Much of the problem of family homelessness is hidden away from public view, such as the struggle of the following family: Susan is a single mother with two children, ages 10 and 7. She is a victim of domestic violence who left her batterer and moved in with her parents a year ago. Her parents live in subsidized housing and the landlord told them he would evict them if Susan and her children did not move out. Susan went to the State Department of Transitional Assistance to apply for shelter. She and her children were sent to a hotel in Dartmouth 60 miles away from Boston. The hotel is not near public transportation and there are no kitchen facilities. Her children have not been able to get to school for 3 weeks. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2001) JCRC offers area synagogues a direct connection to programs related to a variety of issues including hunger, homelessness, affordable housing, community economic development, political advocacy, and literacy. In our work with local congregations, we use our PEAR (Partnership, Education, Action, and Reflection) model as a guide for creating a more effective social justice program. Partnership with other community-based organizations and relationships with individuals from other communities can establish important community ties and make justice efforts more effective. Education, both Jewish and issue-based, is essential to understanding the societal roots of injustice and affirming the Jewish values that inspire action and enhance our impact. Action allows congregations to alleviate suffering, address needs and advocate for systemic change. Reflection personalizes action experiences and strengthens individuals’ and communities’ resolve to affect change. JCRC and the One Family Campaign join together to fight family homelessness! JCRC has been involved in an innovative partnership program addressing family homelessness and related issues for the past three years. The One Family Campaign to End Family Homelessness is a multi-faith initiative aimed at engaging faith-based communities in working to end family homelessness in Massachusetts by 2005. In concert with JCRC’s PEAR model, OFC connects synagogues and community based organizations which partner with each other through education, relationship building, and various action. JCRC helps synagogues build action programs and works with synagogues to connect the program to Jewish texts, traditions, and values. Congregations involved in OFC under the stewardship of JCRC benefit from assistance in integrating components of the program into congregational life, social action agendas, Religious School programs JCRC provides ongoing support, consultation, and membership in a network of OFC synagogues. Temple Beth Avodah in Newton is a prime example of a congregation that has benefited from its work with One Family Campaign. Through its involvement, the synagogue has strengthened its commitment to working as a community to create justice. Partnering with those in need as a community has helped many congregants realize how interwoven acts of loving-kindness can be with prayer and learning. Opening doors to the greater community has helped Temple Beth Avodah tear down walls that separated study, prayer and justice work within their congregation. Working with the One Family Campaign has helped them build strong relationships both inside and outside the congregation. As of 2003, the following synagogues take part: Temple Aliyah of Needham, Temple Beth Avodah of Newton, Temple Beth David of Westwood, Temple Isaiah of Lexington, Congregation Or Atid of Wayland, Temple Shalom of Newton, Temple Israel of Boston, and Temple Beth Elohim of Acton. To learn more about how your synagogue can be a part of the One Family Campaign and the commitment to end homelessness by 2005, contact the JCRC at 617-457-8600.