Karin Fleisch 07/11/11
Uri L'Tzedek Uses Micro Grant to Inspire Pursuit of Justice
0 comments
Prof. Jeff Sachs (photographed center) with Uri L'Tzedek Team
When Jeff Sachs speaks, people listen. Even if they don't agree with his policy prescriptions, his voice is authoritative, compassionate and demands our attention. On June 1, he addressed the crowd at Uri L'Tzedek's first annual Spring fundraiser, "And Justice For All," held at Midtown Loft, in Manhattan.
One of the leading voices in public health, development economics, and global poverty, Jeffrey Sachs has twice been named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World." He is Special Adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and is the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He was also Director of the UN Millennium Project and Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Millennium Development Goals, the internationally agreed goals to reduce extreme poverty, disease, and hunger by the year 2015. He is author of hundreds of scholarly articles and numerous books, including The End of Poverty and Common Wealth, both New York Times bestsellers.
Prof. Sachs' words were heart-wrenching. He spoke of a mother who lost two children to malaria (a treatable, preventable disease). Prof. Sachs spoke with pragmatism. He recounted calling out the World Bank for not doing more to make antiretrovirals (which treat HIV) more accessible. He was also inspiring. Prof. Sachs helped develop and launch the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
At first glance, as a scholar, leader and activist of firmly secular organizations, Prof. Sachs might seem an unlikely pick for keynote speaker at an Uri L'Tzedek event. Uri L'Tzedek is an Orthodox Jewish social justice organization. In fact, Prof. Sachs’ words underpin the prime reason for Uri L'Tzedek's founding and continued existence: there is injustice in this world and there are things that we can do about it. This inspirational event was made possible through the assistance of an ROI Micro Grant.
Uri L'Tzedek's mission is clear; we are guided by Torah values in combating suffering and oppression. Fittingly, Prof. Sachs took the stage directly after the venerable Rabbi Yitz Greenberg prepared the crowd with a brief but powerful shiur (text study) about the basic and fundamental human right to dignity.
Ari Hart, Uri L'Tzedek co-founder and executive board member, also addressed the crowd. He proudly explained the growth of Uri L'Tzedek's Tav HaYosher program. The Tav HaYosher, an ethical seal which certifies Kosher restaurants that also meet fair labor standards, can now be found in over 85 restaurants in North America (click here to see which ones)!
This event was the largest gathering of Uri L'Tzedek's supporters to date. As an Uri L'Tzedek board member and compliance officer (I personally audit two restaurants with the Tav), I found it heart-warming to see so many supporters gather on a weekday evening.
One of the leading voices in public health, development economics, and global poverty, Jeffrey Sachs has twice been named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World." He is Special Adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and is the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He was also Director of the UN Millennium Project and Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Millennium Development Goals, the internationally agreed goals to reduce extreme poverty, disease, and hunger by the year 2015. He is author of hundreds of scholarly articles and numerous books, including The End of Poverty and Common Wealth, both New York Times bestsellers.
Prof. Sachs' words were heart-wrenching. He spoke of a mother who lost two children to malaria (a treatable, preventable disease). Prof. Sachs spoke with pragmatism. He recounted calling out the World Bank for not doing more to make antiretrovirals (which treat HIV) more accessible. He was also inspiring. Prof. Sachs helped develop and launch the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
At first glance, as a scholar, leader and activist of firmly secular organizations, Prof. Sachs might seem an unlikely pick for keynote speaker at an Uri L'Tzedek event. Uri L'Tzedek is an Orthodox Jewish social justice organization. In fact, Prof. Sachs’ words underpin the prime reason for Uri L'Tzedek's founding and continued existence: there is injustice in this world and there are things that we can do about it. This inspirational event was made possible through the assistance of an ROI Micro Grant.
Uri L'Tzedek's mission is clear; we are guided by Torah values in combating suffering and oppression. Fittingly, Prof. Sachs took the stage directly after the venerable Rabbi Yitz Greenberg prepared the crowd with a brief but powerful shiur (text study) about the basic and fundamental human right to dignity.
Ari Hart, Uri L'Tzedek co-founder and executive board member, also addressed the crowd. He proudly explained the growth of Uri L'Tzedek's Tav HaYosher program. The Tav HaYosher, an ethical seal which certifies Kosher restaurants that also meet fair labor standards, can now be found in over 85 restaurants in North America (click here to see which ones)!
This event was the largest gathering of Uri L'Tzedek's supporters to date. As an Uri L'Tzedek board member and compliance officer (I personally audit two restaurants with the Tav), I found it heart-warming to see so many supporters gather on a weekday evening.
Uri L'Tzedek is profoundly grateful to ROI for a Micro Grant, which allowed us to celebrate our successes, learn Torah and hear from Prof. Sachs. The grant also allowed us to thank and connect with our incredible network of allies while reaching new supporters, which is vital to our growth (we recently opened a satellite base for operations in LA!). Thank you, ROI!
- Login to post comments
BLOG /
ROI MEDIA
COMMUNITY TWEETS
NOTICE BOARD
08/28/11 /
06/09/11 /