Tzedakah Fund Can Help
Our Tzedakah Fund is here to help in times of need. In the past we have helped our synagogue members in difficult times in such areas as:
• Medical expenses
• Care giver and other home care assistance
• Heating bills
• Cost of attending Passover Seder at our synagogue
If you are experiencing a time of need and could be helped by a small grant from our Tzedakah Fund, please call Rabbi Caryn Broitman. If you would like to help fellow members in need, please consider making a contribution to our Tzedakah Fund.
Rabbi Caryn Broitman
Zee Gamson
Gayle Stiller
Why Do We Need to Support Tzedakah on Martha’s Vineyard?
There is a very wide income and wealth gap on the island and we have a lot of people who are having a hard time surviving here. Affordable housing is scarce, especially for those at the bottom of the income scale. Jobs disappear with the summer and sometimes never re-appear, especially in economic downturns.
Many people fall through the cracks of the limited aid that is available. They need our help—with heating, food, housing, employment. Families with children need special support. Many young families with limited income have to choose between paying for food and heating their home. Middle-aged people who have lost jobs may need help to get them through these hard times, particularly when unemployment on Martha’s Vineyard runs well ahead of the national average, especially in the off-season. Many elderly people on fixed incomes are forced to forego their medicines to pay for other necessities.
What the Committee Has Done
Some members of our community, even in the synagogue, are too proud to ask for help. The Tzedakah Fund Committee discreetly tries to find them directly or through organizations that help them. The Fund has regularly donated money to the Island Food Pantry. It has given support to projects giving emergency shelter to homeless people. It has donated funds to the Regional Housing Authority for affordable housing. It has given money to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and Women Empowered for counseling and job preparation.
You Can Help
We do the best we can, but the need is greater than our resources. We depend entirely on contributions from members of the congregation. Please help. Donate whatever you can, and we will make sure that your money is used to help those who need it most.
If you know of someone who needs help, or programs that work on improving community conditions, please let one of us know.
Rabbi Caryn Broitman
Zee Gamson
Gayle Stiller