Getting help through hard times Jan. 11

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2008-01-01T00:00:00

With the country’s economic crisis sweeping over local Jewish organizations and individuals, Congregation Neveh Shalom has scheduled a free community-wide event on how individuals and organizations can cope in hard times.

“This is a deadly serious situation, but we are being very creative and trying to make it a fun event,” said Stephen Sirkin, chair of Neveh’s Tikkun Olam committee, which is planning the Jan. 11 event called “It Takes a Shtetl … Getting Through Hard Times, it’s a Jewish tradition.”

“Our goal is to present positive approaches for dealing with these difficult economic times and tools to help people ease their way through the challenges it presents,” said Sirkin.

Last month Neveh Shalom hosted a community-wide discussion on “Making the Best of Difficult Financial Times.” Participants decided to form a task force, and a meeting has been set for Jan. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at Congregation Shaarie Torah.

The Jan. 11 event is another prong of that effort. From 2 to 5 p.m., the event will feature speakers and break-out sessions geared toward helping individuals and organizations cope with the realities of the economy.

Sirkin said the event will begin with a quick overview and background information about the economy and its effects locally. Short talks will include a realistic assessment of the economic outlook, local charities and a Jewish perspective on giving

Following that introduction, a panel discussion will focus on “Life Experiences, Living Through Hard Times.” Sirkin said that not all speakers have been confirmed, but he hopes to have panelists discuss topics such as surviving a layoff, facing hard times economically and living frugally.

Breakout sesisons begin at 3:15 and repeat at 4.

JoAnn Bezodis, programming and fund-raising director at Neveh Shalom, will present a workshop called “Living Furgally: How a woman with a large family survived on a single income.” Neveh Shalom Past President Sandy Axel will discuss “(Kosher) Cooking on The Cheap.”

Other workshops are expected to address health care issues, budgeting, dealing with pressures on the family and bartering.

The event is free, but contributions of cash or non-perishable foods for the Oregon Food Bank are encouraged.

For more information, contact JoAnn Bezodis at Neveh Shalom 503-293-7309 or Steve Sirkin at 503-454-0610.