PANEL—(From left) Gabe Markiz, Simon Goldstein and JoAnn Bezodis share their views on “Life Experiences, Living Through Hard Times,” on a panel moderated by Steve Sirkin, chair of Neveh Shalom’s Tikkun Olam Committee, which planned the Jan. 11 program “It Takes a Shtetl.” The afternoon included economic overviews from Markiz, CNS Executive Director Fred Rothstein and Jewish Federation of Greater Portalnd Executive Vice President Charles Schiffman. Panelists and other community members then led a series of workshops offering practical tips on bartering, budgeting, living frugally, cooking on a budget, dealing with family pressures, taking care of health and managing a job search. 

 

 

Neveh Shalom 'It Takes a Shtetl'

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-02-01T00:00:00

“It Takes a Shtetl: Getting Through Hard Times, It’s a Jewish Tradition” provided workshops and talks about how the community can deal with the country’s economic crisis on Jan. 11 at Congregation Neveh Shalom.

Gabe Markiz, Simon Goldstein and JoAnn Bezodis share their views on “Life Experiences, Living Through Hard Times,” on a panel moderated by Steve Sirkin, chair of Neveh Shalom’s Tikkun Olam Committee, which planned the program

Neveh Shalom Rabbi Daniel Isaak began the day reading contradictory verses from Deuteronomy 15: “There shall be no needy among you,” and “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land.”

Isaak said the contradiction emphasizes the need for everyone to be generous and cognizant of need.

“Tzedakah is my obligation as a human being to create justice in the world,” he said.

The afternoon included economic overviews from Markiz, CNS Executive Director Fred Rothstein and Jewish Federation of Greater Portalnd Executive Vice President Charles Schiffman.

Markiz, a CPA and financial planner, said that while there is a great deal of bad news, the federal government assumes that through its stimulus package, the unemployment rate will stabilize and potentially turn around in 2009. Oregon, said Markiz, may be fare well in new jobs creation since it is at the forefront of the Green Revolution for renewable energy.

To put things in perspective, Markiz compared the nearly 10 percent unemployement now to the 25 percent unemployment of the Great Depression.

“This is a deep recession,” he said. “Recessions come to an end an this one will as well.”

“Ther economy is going to survive,” he said, though he noted is not an economist. “I think we’ll come out of this in 2010.”

Rothstein noted that synagogues have been affected by the need to make budget cuts while meeting the expanding needs of congregants.

Schiffman said Jewish agencies are facing similar challenges of cutting costs and meeting increased needs.

While many people have had to cut their pledges for this year’s annual campaign to support Jewish needs, Schiffman said others have said that while they have taken a hit, they are maintaining or increasing their pledge to meet the serious needs in the community.

“I’m optimistic we will recover,” said Schiffman. “Let’s be a source of strength for one another.”

The day included seven workshops offering practical tips for coping with economic uncertainty. Following are tips from each workshop:

• Dealing with Pressures on the Family, by Rita Smith, MA, therapist and family coach at JFCS: “It’s important when you have kids, no matter what emotions you might be going through, it’s essential to be open and communicative. …It’s critical not to give up and withdraw. Start talking and be a cohesive family.”

• Managing Your Job Search, by Simon Goldstein, CISA, CISM: “Call and request information interviews. Say, ‘I’d like to know more about your business and industry.’ People will do that over coffee in the morning. Avoid lunch—it’s expensive.”

• Taking Care of Ourselves: Putting Our Health in our own Hands, by Harriet Cooke, MD, MPH, and Karen Mitzner, MAT, MATS: “Look for relationships where we can be our authentic selves. Life energy is healing from these kinds of relationships. …(Studies show) social support is an important variable in physical and emotional health.”

“Living Frugally, How a Woman with a Large Family Survived on a Single Income, by JoAnn Bezodis, CNS programming and fundraising director: “We often think we all have to own our own things. Do you need to own a preassure washer or could you borrow or rent one? Learn to function in community … loan, borrow and trade.”

• Budgeting Your Expenses in Hard Times, by Gabe Markiz, CPA, CFP: Look at life goals. Think about putting money away—live below your means. Everybody should budget…it gives information to make decisions.”

• Bartering, A Lost Art, by Randy White of Bright Neighborhood: Visit PortlandBrightNeighbor.com for an example of setting up an online chain of barters. People fill out what they have and what they need, which can result in a direct trade or a series of trades where everyone gets what they are seeking.

• Kosher Cooking on the Cheap, by Harriet Saxe, Oregon Food Bank Volunteer Nutrition Educator: “You can think outside the box to eat healthy, inexpensive, tasty and satisfying foods. You may eat a lot of vegetarian. Use meat as a condiment.”

Saxe offered packets of hearty, tasty recipes including the following:

Lentil One-Pot Casserole1 cup dry lentils, rinsed½ cup uncooked brown rice2 cups shredded carrots3 cups water or broth1 packet onion soup mix (reduced sodium preferred)1 tablespoon dried basil1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon cooking oil

Rinse lentils. Put all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook until lentils and rise are done, about 40 minutes.