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The Credit Crunch: a Response

Written by Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain Wednesday, 26 November 2008

In response to the credit crunch, Reform rabbis met recently to reflect on its impact on individuals within the community at large.

A four point plan was put forward to meet their needs :

1. Rabbis should be pro-active and contact members who might be in danger of losing their job or find it difficult keeping up mortgage repayments.
2. Synagogues could become ‘swap-centres’ for those looking for employment and those whose businesses have vacancies.
3. They could hold sessions offering guidance about preparing for job-interviews, drawing up CVs and considering career-changes.
4. They could be referral-centres for debt-advice.

It was also noted that synagogues should provide spiritual comfort for those who felt that their values were being undermined or their family life being disrupted by the forces around them. Those without a job should still find the synagogue doors open and offering a safe haven. Whether it be coping with harsh realities or dealing with matters of the soul, now is the time for synagogues to show the strength of community and the power of spirituality.