Jewish World Review Feb. 5, 2002 / 23 Shevat, 5762
WASHINGTON DIARIST
In the weeks after September 11, the national psyche was understandably
concentrated on Osama bin Laden and the fight against al-Qaeda. The concern
was reflected in Washington as well. The President and his cabinet were
waging war abroad and seeking to protect the American homeland. On Capitol
Hill, bipartisan consensus emerged regarding measures relating to
anti-terrorism and airline security.
But it was a matter of time before the White House and Congress would begin
to look inward once again. The call went out to bring domestic issues back
to the fore. Not surprisingly, chief among them was the economy.
There is no question that in the aftermath of the attacks on New York and
Washington, and with a recession in full swing, the economy has taken a
downward turn. Fiscal growth, unemployment and other key indicators show
that American families have been - and continue to be - hard-hit by the
financial losses our country has suffered.
The Jewish community has not escaped the economic blow. Loss of business,
loss of jobs and loss of financial security have combined to create
crisis-conditions in Jewish homes. And, by inevitable extension, economic
hardship has intensified in Jewish charitable and educational institutions -
many of which were severely strapped to begin with.
The disappointment over the failure of the "economic stimulus" effort was
palpable in Washington. It was not the inability to pass a bill per se that
was so disheartening. After all, there is nothing magical about finalizing
legislation before the end of the year. Initiatives can always be taken up
again when Congress reconvenes.
What was so saddening, though, was the sense many in the capital felt that
along with getting back to "legislation as usual" we were also getting back
to "politics as usual."
Were we dealing - the unspoken but not unpondered questions went - with a
White House and Congress, Democrats and Republicans, beginning to sense that
we are entering an election year? Had the realities of a popular President,
slim majorities in both House and Senate, and a struggling economy,
beginning to dictate legislative business?
It would surely not be the first time that priorities were determined by
their election value. But somehow we thought that the world had changed.
And then there was Congress' failure to pass the "Armies of Compassion" bill
that President Bush has been strongly promoting. A bipartisan effort led by
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), the
legislation was overshadowed by other initiatives and never came up for
consideration.
The legislation, which will hopefully come up early this session, is
similar in certain respects to the initiative that passed the House a number
of months ago. It uses the tax code and other mechanisms to provide
incentives - for individuals and businesses - for charitable giving. Simply
put, the bill will help charities - including our Jewish institutions - and
the needy they serve.
And charities need help, now more than ever. If September 11 demonstrated
anything, it was that when communities are faced with crisis, charities will
step up and help address the needs of the poor and hungry, the displaced and
homeless, the unemployed, the sick and the suffering - the needs of all
whose lives have been shattered.
Of course, this has always been the case. September 11 simply brought this
work into greater focus. Charities, including the many wonderful ones
within the Jewish community, have long been taken for granted. But a mere
moment's reflection will remind us of the essential role charities have
always played - and continue to play - in our society and in our community
in helping address people's most basic needs. And this is especially true
in an era where budget cutbacks have caused government to withdraw from its
social welfare role in many areas and to cut back on many vital services.
Charities need special help now. For while the burdens placed on their
shoulders have gotten heavier, the support they have enjoyed has
significantly slackened. Indeed, there have been numerous reports in the
news lately of a decline in contributions to nonprofit charitable
organizations and about how these groups are struggling to continue their
critical work. Difficult times for contributors have inevitably resulted in
difficult times for charities.
The "Armies of Compassion" bill recognizes the unique role charities play in
addressing societal ills. It also recognizes that nonprofits carry on their
work efficiently, effectively and with a true sense of moral conscience.
Let us all hope that, now that Congress is back in session, it sets itself
to its own work with the very same qualities.
A time for compassion
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It didn't take long.
Abba Cohen is director and counsel of Agudath Israel of America's Washington Office. Comment by clicking here.