Repairing Rhode Island

This year, the eighth annual Interfaith Poverty Conference on May 11 focused on inspiring tikkun olam. Sponsored by the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, the conference opened with an inspirational call to action by Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C. Pesner, a powerful speaker, directed the more than 250 attendees from religious communities and advocacy groups, to focus on coming together to build a powerful alliance in the fight against poverty.

 “The only people who can really do this,” he told the crowd at Rhode Island College’s Donovan Dining Center, “is the organized faith community. That is our job.”

Following his speech, each table of attendees had an opportunity to talk and reflect on several question facilitated by Rabbi Alan Flam of the Helen Hudson Foundation for Homeless America. Workshops followed the table talk.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.