The End of Poverty in Our Time

I had an excellent time in San Diego for the latest Union for Reform Judaism biennial. It allowed me to reconnect with old friends, network with new friends, and take advantage of inspiring, thought-provoking, challenging speakers. David Donchin, our president, has already highlighted a few.

Let me focus on another one, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs. His resume is lengthy and impressive. Sachs is the Director of The Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development and Professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University; he is viewed as the cutting-edge economics advisor of his generation. Read Sachs biography.

One can draw a straight line from the ancient prophets to Sachs. Though obviously not a prophet, what Sachs shares in common with Amos, Micah, Zechariah and the like, is his not only proclaiming a vision for a future devoid of despair, suffering and poverty but his providing a means to fulfill this vision.

Sachs proposes the following: By 2025, eradicate extreme hunger and poverty; by 2015, bring about the following: achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS and malaria; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership of development.

Are such notions lofty? Yes. Idealistic? He prefers “realistic.” But naïve? Not to him. And not to anyone who has listened to him, read his many articles and books or met him face to face.

I am currently reading his book, “The End of Poverty.” He explains that the West has the money, intellectual capital and resources to reach out to the one-sixth of humanity, primarily in Africa, the Far East and Southeast Asia, who suffer every day of their lives. We can easily contribute:

cheap bed nets to help control malaria.

inexpensive drug treatments to reign in HIV/AIDS and many other diseases.

basic soil nutrients and technology to help farmers become self-sufficient and help them enter regional and globalized economies.

This list could continue. But tragically, what we in the West lack is a national will.

None of Sachs’ solutions detract from the resources needed to address local and national needs. In other words, we are not talking about a zero-sum game. If we reach out to our brothers and sisters in Asia and Africa, we are not pushing aside our fellow-Americans in need.

I would like our temple to play a role in helping bring Sachs’ goals to fruition. We can partner with an African village and help its people lift themselves up from extreme poverty. We can contribute minimal amounts of money – even our loose change – for the sake of basic medication, bed nets, hot meals, and the like.

In the coming weeks and months, I will send additional information about how Temple B’nai Israel can make a difference, whether through my blog, What’s Nu, Sha’arei Shabbat lectures or adult education offerings.

Sachs offers us Reform Jews a beautiful and meaningful way to step forward and keep alive our rich legacy of pursuing social justice, not just for us, but for all of humanity. Let us all step forward and say, “hineini,” I am ready. Send me.

For more information, visit:
www.unmillenniumproject.org
www.millenniumpromise.org

Also, from our temple library, check out “The End of Poverty,” by Jeffrey Sachs, Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-303658-0 (paperback) or purchase it at a local bookstore.