Among the frum community, the staggering numbers of unemployed householders have galvanized several parnassah initiatives. In a penetrating roundtable discussion, Mishpacha unites some of the leaders of these efforts. These men have dedicated their talents and time to helping their fellow Jews reclaim their livelihoods and their dignity. Their thought-provoking and incisive observations apply to all of us.
There is good-natured banter as our roundtable discussion participants file into the conference room at Mishpacha’s Brooklyn offices. Platters of baked goods and steaming cups of coffee are arrayed on the polished table. Someone jokes about expecting a full lunch rather than just refreshments.
“Look there’s a recession; everyone’s cutting back” quips another.
No one laughs.
Not even a weak smile.
For the men gathered here today the recession and the devastation it’s wrought are serious business. Each of them falls asleep at night dreaming of new jobs new industries hopes for recovery and ways that their fellow Jews can feed their families with dignity.
The Number One Focus
Since the current recession took hold in December 2007 the employment landscape has changed dramatically across much of America. According to a June 2010 Pew Research survey roughly a third of adults in the labor force have been unemployed for a period of time during the recession. Furthermore 55 percent of adults in the labor force who were surveyed reported that they had suffered financially during the recession be it a spell of unemployment a cut in pay a reduction in hours or an involuntary spell in a part-time job.
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