To the Members of the Edison/Highland Park/East Brunswick Community:
The news is filled with reports about the coronavirus and the impact it is having on people throughout the United States, Israel and the world. Our hearts go out to those who have been affected -- either directly, or through family members or friends.
A side effect of the virus has been rising unemployment rates. Our community is not insulated from the related recession and too many of our neighbors are victims of job cuts. Some of our neighbors and friends are now struggling with maintaining their critical needs, such as food, heat, and housing. Despite the recent steps taken by the government, unfortunately, it is anticipated that the economic problems will get worse before they get better.
In light of this growing crisis, our rabbinic leadership and a number of concerned lay people have joined forces to raise significant sums from the community to assist struggling families with mortgage payments, utilities, medical insurance, food, and other basic needs. The funds raised are intended to only be used to support community members who have been severely negatively impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to meet their basic needs without assistance. Fund distribution will be coordinated by the Vaad Harabonim of Raritan Valley and will operate modeled after the Emergency Parnassah Initiative (EPI) of 2009. Applicants requesting assistance will remain anonymous to everyone but their respective Rav.
During the economic crisis in 2009, the community banded together to raise approximately $350,000 for families in need. Through EPI in 2009-2010:
Approximately 40 families received assistance in the form of food vouchers and/or payments of mortgages and utilities
Numerous families received help renegotiating their credit card and/or mortgage debt
More than a dozen families were able to get off EPI within two months and no longer required assistance
EPI is not intended to solve a long-term economic problem. EPI is intended to function as a bridge for those who find themselves in temporary need due to the effects of the coronavirus. The hope is that EPI will provide that little bit extra needed by these individuals and families to enable them to get through this unprecedented crisis.
Checks to EPI should be made payable and sent to your respective shuls, and should include a notation for “EPI” in the memo of the check.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this vital program. Through our communal acts of chesed and achdut, may HaShem swiftly bring our kehilot back together once again.
The Vaad HaRabonim of Raritan Valley
Special Message from Ray Morris on the EPI
Dear Members and Friends of Congregation Etz Ahaim,
You may have already read the message from the Vaad Harabbanim of Raritan Valley about the EPI ( Emergency Parnassah Initiative). In light of the fallout from the Coronavirus crisis, our Rabbinic leadership and people in the community have joined forces to raise funds to assist struggling families with utilities, medical payments, food and other basic needs.
We at Congregation Etz Ahaim must give our full support to and participate in this vital program. We are asking our members and friends to make a donation for whatever amount they are able to afford. Please make your checks to Congregation Etz Ahaim, include a notation for “EPI” in the memo of the check, and mail to the synagogue office. If you already sent a check to the Congregation Etz Ahaim Charity Fund, we will forward your check to the Vaad.
Until the arrival of Rabbi Cavalier, community rabbis in the Vaad have agreed to help us with dealing with needy individuals in our synagogue and distributing funds to them. We are very grateful for their help.
We want to thank all our members and friends for your continued support, and wish you all good health and safety, and B-H we will get through this crisis shortly, socialize, and pray together in our beautiful synagogue.
Sincerely,
Ray Morris
President
Congregation Etz Ahaim