As the current economic downturn continues to permeate the Jewish community, the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI), together with the Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, sponsored a program for rabbinic leaders from Brooklyn and Staten Island entitled “Economic Crisis Affecting Our Community: How Can We Help?”  The December 16, 2008 program, which was co-sponsored by Agudath Israel of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, gave participants the opportunity to hear answers to their questions about the economic crisis and to learn from the experts.

According to NCYI Director of Rabbinic Services Rabbi Binyamin Hammer, who coordinated the event, the program was intended to enable Rabbis, who are often the “first responders” in their respective communities, to learn more about the various programs and services that are available for people in need.

Approximately forty people participated in the program, which was hosted by the Young Israel of Flatbush and its Mara D’Atra, Rabbi Kenneth Auman.  After welcoming remarks from NCYI Chief Operating Officer Chaim Leibtag, the participants heard from a number of prominent speakers, including Rabbi Yechezkel  Pikus, the Executive Director of COJO of Flatbush; Peter Brest, the Chief Operating Officer of the Met Council on Jewish Poverty; Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger of Agudath Israel of America; Rabbi Heshy Billet, the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Woodmere; and Sam Bergman of the Eliezer Project, an organization based in the Five Towns that helps individuals and families who are encountering financial difficulties.

The presenters spoke about the various service organizations in the community and discussed the assistance that they offer families, including credit counseling, mortgage assistance, job retraining, and mental health services.

Upon the conclusion of the formal presentations, there was a question and answer session, as well as an opportunity for people to meet one-on-one with the various presenters.

“We all are committed to work with one another to streamline the various bureaucracies so that rabbanim and shul leaders can make proper referrals for their congregants,” said Rabbi Hammer.

“The economic decline has unfortunately affected our families, our communitywide organizations, and our Torah institutions,” said NCYI President Shlomo Z. Mostofsky.  “With people facing difficult financial times and an uncertain economic future, there are a lot of unanswered questions that people have.  This program gave people the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with professionals who understand the predicament that they are facing and who have the ability to offer sound counsel and sage advice.”

The National Council of Young Israel is planning a similar program for Rabbis in Queens in the coming months, and encourages the local synagogues and social service organizations to participate so that the public can be better informed and know where they can turn to for help.

“The National Council of Young Israel is in a unique position to bring together various groups for the betterment of the Jewish community,” said NCYI COO Chaim Leibtag.  “We will continue working to unite our community and keep educating rabbinic and community leaders so that they will be even better positioned to assist people in need.”

For information about the National Council of Young Israel’s upcoming programs, please contact the NCYI Department of Rabbinic Services at (212) 929-1525 x113; send an email to [email protected]; or visit www.youngisrael.org.

(YWN Desk – NYC)