Dayenu?

This Passover has been a bit different than many others that I have experienced. It is the first year that I can recall not having at least one member of my immediate family next to me at the seder table. I feel very blessed that as a Hillel professional, I am able to not only help facilitate experiences for Jewish students on campus, but I am also encouraged to share in them.

I attended the first night seder on campus led by my friend and colleague, Rabbi Andy Kastner. I felt particularly moved by a piece that he asked me to read aloud:

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Being Poor

Being Poor is...
having your heat shut off in the winter because your parents can't pay the bill
Being Poor is...
having two blankets for seven people in the family
Being Poor is...
wishing you could eat in a restaurant
Being Poor is...
wearing shoes that someone else threw out
Being Poor is...
lying when someone asks you what your father does for a living
Being Poor is...
pretending that you don't care that you got no gift for your birthday
Being Poor is...
waiting all day in a clinic to see a doctor you don't know
Being Poor is...
a welfare worker asking your mother too many questions and making her cry
Being Poor is...
not being afraid of the dentist because you've never seen one
Being Poor is...
always feeling a little mad because you never have what you need

Based on Janet Rosenberg, Being Poor is...
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Before the holiday of Passover began, I met up with a student of campus to gather some chametz, or non-Kosher for Passover products, that he collected from his friends. He is helping me plan an annual Day of Service at a local transitional shelter for women and children and figured that the food could be put to good use. I happily accepted the box of dried goods and stuck them in my trunk without a second thought.

Later, as I was driving home from work, I approached a man on the side of the street. He was near a busy intersection, but the light was red. I remembered the box of food in my trunk and put my hazards on and got out to greet him. As I began to lift the entire box, the man kindly asked that I only give him products that didn't require cooking. Immediately, I grabbed a box of cookies and two boxes of crackers. As I was searching the box for more options, the man politely told me that we were blocking traffic and I had better go before the cops came. Struck somewhat speechless, I smiled and began to get back in my car. He said "G-d Bless You" and I told him to Have a Nice Day." As I turned my hazards off and turned onto the next street, I thought about how strange it was that I was just expected to take off on my merry way as if our encounter never occurred.

Poverty, hunger and homelessness often times go hand-in-hand. No matter how much I learn about poverty and commit to help those around me overcome it, I will never be able to fully empathize with the statements I listed above. No matter how much I learn about food insecurity, hunger and homelessness, I will never be able to fully empathize with someone who is hungry and without a warm and safe place to spend the night.

I was left speechless by my interaction with the man on the side of the street because I felt foolish. My desire to give whatever resources I had available overpowered my ability to recognize the situation for what it was. Offering packets of Easy Mac to someone without a microwave, without a kitchen, without a home... how is that going to help them? How are people supposed to accept the kindness of a stranger when they are living in fear of being reprimanded by people with authority?

During these last few days of Passover, I plan to challenge myself to think strategically. We all have our own persecutions to overcome and deserts to wander. I can only hope that next year I am in a space where I am not only feeling personally empowered, but feeling that I have affected change in the world around me. No matter how big (or small) that world may be.