December 2, 2012 | Repairing the World

Congregant Molly Shapiro, 13, describes what it was like to shop and eat on a $31.50 weekly allowance in New York City.

November 28, 2012 | Worship and High Holidays

In the years between 1987 and 1997, I lost six close friends, all gay men, and knew of dozens more men who died, most of them in their 30s or early 40s. For many of us, there is a whole phantom, lost generation of gay men in New York: men who would now be in their 50s and 60s, in the prime of their lives.

November 28, 2012 | Repairing the World

Our clergy continued their week on the Food Stamp Challenge. Cantor Katz was only able to stick to the challenge for one meal, a breakfast of oatmeal. Rabbi Salth shared his reflections on the challenge:

I have been regularly humbled this week by this experience.  Fortunately for me, this challenge was an exercise. Trying to find a way to eat on a extreme budget is the norm for millions including, I know, the guests we welcome into our lobby each Thursday and Friday morning for a hot breakfast served by our dedicated volunteers.  In addition, I had a microwave to heat my soup each day.  What do people do when that is not an option  At minimum it limits their choices even further.

November 27, 2012 | Repairing the World

Steve Chudnow and his daughter Dani, 13, are taking the Food Stamp Challenge together this week. While at work and school respectively, they've been turning down tempting meals and snacks in order to keep within their weekly budget of $31.50.

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November 26, 2012 | Repairing the World

The obvious "challenge" in this food stamp experience is budgetary: $1.50 per meal is substantially less than, for example, the cost of a Dunkin' Donuts breakfast sandwich--or even a cup of coffee there, for that matter.