As you may know, this summer I had the opportunity to travel to Senegal with twenty three fellow rabbinical students from all walks of Jewish life under the auspices of the American Jewish World Service.
The experience was nothing short of life-altering.
For two weeks, we worked with the villages of Darou Mouride and Keur Songo in the Thies region of Senegal. We spent time learning about the fabulous work of AJWS' grantee, Tostan, in community-led development throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We saw first-hand the devastating effects of extreme poverty in the Developing South.
Most importantly, we spent two weeks getting to know individual people who live in a world so very different and yet so very similar to our own.
I became friends with Tidiane Geye, a ten year old boy who lives in Keur Songo. He is bright, good looking, and always has a smile on his face. He and his family live in a hut made out of straw and mud. They have no access to running water or electricity; they share the sole latrine to which they have access with many other families of their village. He has an open sore on his leg which is infected, and will never receive medical attention. For the three days I was with him, he wore the same, dirty clothes; he has no shoes.
But there is reason to be optimistic about Tidiane Geye and his village. The work of AJWS is having a tangible effect in his life and that of millions of others in situations just like his. As I fumbled over his name (you try speaking Wolof!) he reached down to the sand that is his bedroom floor and wrote out his name in Roman letters - he has been given the blessing of literacy.
Thanks to the work of AJWS, none of Tidiane Geye's sisters will be subjected to female genital cutting. AJWS' grantee, Tostan, has succeeded in organizing more than 3,000 villages like Keur Songo in declaring an end to the devastating practice. Yet there is still so much work to be done to help those like Tidiane Geye living in the Developing World.
My delegation of rabbinical students has committed to raising $15,000 this holiday season to support the work of AJWS in places like Senegal. Every dollar we raise will support AJWS' newest campaign: Fighting Hunger from the Ground Up, working to alleviate the causes of extreme hunger around the world.
As we prepare to celebrate the new year, I ask you to please consider starting 5770 with an added commitment to support poverty alleviation in the Developing World. As an added bonus, an anonymous donor will match each dollar we raise, up to $250,000, doubling the reach of any contribution you are able to make, no matter the size.
So, please, help the American Jewish World Service in its fight against global poverty and hunger. Help send a message that the Judaism you know and love is a Judaism of love for the whole world, a Judaism offering hope to the whole world, a Judaism that demands of us to stand up and fight against the injustices of poverty.
To make a donation,visit my personal AJWS fundraising site here.
Thanks in advance for your support. I look forward to being able to share more stories of my experience in Senegal with you in the months ahead.
I wish you all a sweet new year of health and love, as well as food security, financial security, and peace.
Shanah tovah umetukah,
David
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