Jon Liedtke
University of Windsor
On October 7, students from across Canada gave up their thanksgiving weekend, sacrificing seeing friends and family, studying for midterms, being involved in their regular clubs/committees on campus, etc, a ‘normal weekend’, in pursuit of something bigger. They instead took part in a social justice excursion, organized by the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students, which led them to New York City, to do hands on volunteering, social justice work, and study. The itinerary of the students was filled from Thursday to Monday, with little free time: working at soup kitchens, participating with Midnight Run delivering food, blankets, and clothing to the homeless, learning about and canvassing for Uri L’Tzedek and their ethical seal for the fair and equal treatment of all workers, documented and undocumented, in Kosher restaurants.
The students represented different faculties and programs from universities across Canada; however, it became quite evident that there was something very similar within all of the students. Aside from the fact they were all Jewish, moreover, there was something, which resonated throughout all of the students, a drive toward justice, and a passion to Do. Never were complaints made about the level of work, the situations, which were presented, or the little time for sleep at night – quite the opposite, as most seemed to want to do more.
These ten student leaders had all acted in this capacity before, putting the needs of others before themselves, whether working for the Jewish community directly, or society on the whole. What was unique about this trip was the direct Jewish element involved, in such a large city, where a need for help echoes through the streets. The economic downturn, the housing market crisis, etc, are not isolated events, which elude the Jewish community, we are not immune. Though the vast public might not believe there is a need for Jews to be helped due to their own misconceptions and ignorance, I can certainly say, that now, more than ever, there is a need. While at face value, Jewish people may appear to be at a better place than the general citizenry, this does not mean people are not dependant on the services which Jewish organizations provide (and not restricted entirely to Jewish people either!).
Working directly with Midnight Run, delivering food to the homeless at various locations throughout downtown Manhattan, and finally culminating at Penn Station, helped to juxtapose the inconsistencies and cracks in our social fabric. Posters for Broadway shows helped to line the walls of these disenfranchised people’s home. ‘The Lion King: Eight Performances a Week!’; ‘Free Wifi for All’; ‘Swarovski diamonds and jewels’; all seemed oddly out of place when the audience at night for these advertisements and services were the homeless. When people are using Penn Station as a home, the luxury of ‘Free Wifi’ almost seems like a slap in the face.
Uri L’tzedek, a non-profit social justice organization aimed at inspiring Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) in Jews and non-Jews alike, is pursuant of the ethical treatment of all workers, regardless of national origin. The vast majority of kosher restaurants in New York, and Brooklyn, surprisingly employ the same business strategies as their competition: paying below minimum wage where they can get away with it. Uri L’tzedek believes, as do we, that this strategy does not fit hand in hand with Torah values, or the laws as defined by the United States of America (or Canada for that matter). Their seal, after a rigorous qualifying period is affixed to an ethical restaurant, alongside their seal of Kashrut, to let patrons know they are supporting a restaurant, which employs ethical standards. Though theirs is an uphill battle against orthodoxy and fixed values and beliefs, they are garnering speed and traction; with 60 restaurants across America conforming to their beliefs, the organization is constantly expanding, and seeking support.
Arriving home after a trip like this, like many before it, I felt the all too familiar emptiness feeling. It is reminiscent of the day after summer camp ends, or moving out of a house of your friends, or leaving a job after a number of years; change is difficult. Even with a short trip of 5 days, patterns, scheduling and a routine is developed, and once it is broken, you are left with a sense of, ‘what now’?
What now is exactly the kind of question you want resonating throughout you after a trip of this nature. It is ideal! I found myself pacing my bedroom, thoughts racing a mile a minute: what project to start; how to go about it; where to begin?
Therefore, I got down to it. Wrote out a plan, a project overview, and started making phone calls. No need for someone to tell me what to do: initiative took hold. Initiative is what these trips breed; initiative is what the world needs. We all know there are problems facing our world, both big and small; they are all manageable and attainable. We are our own biggest supporters and critics alike. Each one of us is either our biggest motivation, or hindrance.
Pursuing social justice is no easy feat. It is not a one-day quest, the world cannot change overnight. What I have learned now, more than ever however, is that the change you can affect, is monumental. Even if you can make one person’s life a bit happier, easier, even less hectic, that is what counts. We are all in this world together, as one team: we need to work together.
This article first appeared in the University of Windsor School of Social Work Newsletter
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