Shopping in the Shuk: A hands-on project with the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) and Keren B'Kavod

Keren B’Kavod’s Tikkun Olam project is a hands-on project that provides visitors with the opportunity to get a more in-depth understanding of some of the challenges facing Israeli society and how the Reform Movement in Israel (The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism - IMPJ) is responding to them. In specific, this project focuses on poverty in Israel and the resulting nutritional insecurity.

“We use the term ‘nutritional insecurity’ instead of hunger because it is important to differentiate between the types of hunger and famine that we see in Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, with the situation in Israel,” says Keren B’Kavod’s Lesley Sachs, who took Arzenu delegates to the shuk.

“In addition, this program will give you the opportunity to engage with Israelis and get actively involved in a social action program run by the Reform Movement here in Israel through our Keren B'Kavod program.”

Keren B’Kavod is the Reform Movement’s response to the growing difficulty of many Israelis to provide themselves with basic life necessities. Keren B’Kavod, which means, literally, the “Dignity Fund”, works with Reform congregations throughout Israel to help those who suffer from poverty to live with dignity.

“The time that you will spend with us today will be an educational program for you, but it will also provide real help and support,” says Sachs. “The food that you purchase, pack and deliver will go to needy families who may not have received this assistance without your help today.”

After a brief learning session about poverty and nutritional insecurity in Israel, the group visited an Israeli Shuk (supermarket).

“You will each be given 100 NIS (New Israel Shekels) with which you must try to buy all of the essential non-perishable items that a poor family in Israel needs,” she says.

The 100 NIS each person receives comes directly from the registration fee that each delegate paid to Arzenu in advance to participate in this program.

“You are also provided with a shopping list that includes Hebrew transliterations. You will discover along the way that you will have to make compromises. Will you buy treats for the children? Will you buy lower quality brands? You will have about one hour shop.

“After shopping, you will go to another location – Beit Shmuel – to pack boxes with the items that you have purchased,” she concludes.