Dear Members of Congress,
We write as Minnesota Jewish clergy members serving a variety of organizations and congregations possessing a wide range of public policy perspectives. We are united by our profound concern that Congress is considering deep cuts and structural changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other safety net programs while over 47 million Americans struggle daily to put food on the table. We urge you to reject these harmful proposals, and we stand ready to help you defend against any attempt to narrow, weaken, or withhold life-saving food assistance.
The proposed budget framework adopted by the House of Representatives in February directs the Committee on Agriculture to eliminate $230 billion, which cannot be accomplished without severely altering SNAP and putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of going hungry. Changes to SNAP — such as rolling back the 2021 update to the Thrifty Food Plan, expanding the work requirements that already exist for SNAP recipients, and shifting benefit costs to states — will only decrease enrollment and increase hunger. This will lead to longer lines at food shelves and soup kitchens in Minnesota and across the country who cannot meet the growing needs.
SNAP helps over 42 million food-insecure Americans put meals on the table every day, including over 1 in 13 people in Minnesota. Making changes that reduce government investment in SNAP sends a message to the millions of Americans who utilize the program in times of need, communicating that this Congress does not care for the wellbeing of normal people trying to make ends meet.
In addition to addressing hunger, boosting the economy, reducing healthcare costs, and improving long-term prospects of households with low incomes, SNAP and other safety net programs provide for a level of need that the charitable sector and emergency food programs simply cannot meet. It is wholly unrealistic to expect that local charities — including many congregations and faith-based organizations — will be able to shoulder an even greater burden if the federal government cuts back its critical investments in federal safety net programs.
Our Jewish faith and traditions guide the belief that our government has a moral obligation to support the most vulnerable in our communities, and to ensure the wellbeing of all people — regardless of circumstance. Grounded in central concepts like tzedek (pursuing justice) and b’tzelem Elohim (respecting the inherent dignity of every person), we urge you to reject any proposals that would cut or attempt to weaken SNAP and other safety net programs.
This week, Jews around the world will gather at the Seder table to recall the Exodus of the ancient Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. We start the Seder reciting, “May all who are hungry enter and eat.” As a Jewish community, we will continue to do our part to fulfill this long held goal of all people being fed. We expect our policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government to continue to do their part.
Signed,
Cantor Audrey Abrams, Minnetonka
Rabbi Morris Allen, Mendota Heights
Rabbi Jill Avrin, Hopkins
Rabbi Shalom Bell, Minnetonka
Rabbi Barbara Block, Saint Paul
Rabbi Michaela Brown, Minneapolis
Rabbi Norman Cohen, Minnetonka
Rabbi Eva Cohen, Minneapolis
Rabbi Barry D. Cytron, Minneapolis
Rabbi Alexander Davis, Saint Louis Park
Rabbi Max Davis, Minneapolis
Hazzan Joanna Dulkin, Minnetonka
Rabbi Dr. Ryan Dulkin, Minnetonka
Rabbi Shoshana Dworsky, Saint Paul
Rabbi Daniel Ettedgui, Minnetonka
Rabbi Abraham Ettedgui, Minnetonka
Cantor Wendi Fried, Minneapolis
Rabbi Joey Glick, Minneapolis
Rabbi Matt Goldberg, Saint Louis Park
Rabbi Joel Gordon, Mendota Heights
Rabbi Jennifer Hartman, Minneapolis
Cantor Tamar Heather Havilio, Plymouth
Rabbi Justin Held, Mendota Heights
Rabbi Rebecca Kamil, Minnetonka
Rabbi Frederick Kamil, Minnetonka
Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman, Saint Paul
Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Minnetonka
Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg, Minneapolis
Rabbi Lynn Liberman, Saint Paul
Rabbi David Locketz, Minnetonka
Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm, Saint Paul
Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff, Saint Paul
Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Saint Louis Park
Rabbi Debra Rappaport, Minneapolis
Rabbi Heather Renetzky, Minneapolis
Rabbi Jason Rodich, Minneapolis
Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, Minneapolis
Rabbi Jeffrey Schein, Saint Louis Park
Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald, Saint Louis Park
Cantor Jennifer Seeger, Minnetonka
Cantor Heather Seid, Plymouth
Rabbi Sammy Seid, Minnetonka
Cantor Art Shragg, New Hope
Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, Saint Paul
Cantor Rachel Spilker, Mendota Heights
Rabbi David Steinberg, Duluth
Rabbi Sharon Stiefel, Saint Paul
Cantor Jennifer Strauss-Klein, Saint Paul
Rabbi Samantha Thal, Minnetonka
Rabbi David Thomas, Minneapolis
Rabbi Aaron Weininger, Minnetonka
Rabbi Michelle Werner, Rochester
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Minneapolis
