FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2018
Reform Jewish Movement Denounces House Farm Bill Attacks on Anti-Hunger Program
WASHINGTON – In response to the draft of the farm bill released by the House Agriculture Committee yesterday, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the wider Reform Movement:
“The House version of the farm bill released yesterday undermines the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), one of the nation’s most effective anti-poverty programs. Simply put, the harsh work requirements in the farm bill will leave more Americans hungry. The people who will be the most negatively impacted are those who are already the most vulnerable, including those who have unpredictable work schedules, live in areas with major obstacles to employment, and don’t earn a living wage.
"We are guided by the injunction recited at the Passover Seder, the centuries-old traditional Jewish meal that Jews across the world observed just last week: 'Let all who are hungry come and eat.' These words inspire our modern commitment to protecting programs that reduce hunger and provide all those who suffer from hunger an opportunity to sustain themselves and their families.
"We urge members of the House to reject the farm bill’s harmful attack on SNAP. In addition, as the Senate drafts its version of the farm bill, we urge Senators to commit to reducing hunger, to protect and strengthen SNAP, and to support all Americans who struggle with food insecurity.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.