whose grave is pictured here,
taught that,
“The highest form of charity is to step in
with help to prevent a person from becoming poor”.
Data shows us that for individuals working at the current minimum wage ($7.35/hour in Missouri) and living below the Federal Poverty Line ($16,460/year for a family of two):
· 55% work full time;
· 56% are women; and
· 36% are age 40 or older.
For purposes of this discussion, it is important to distinguish between the minimum wage, poverty wages and a living wage. The minimum wage is set by Federal or State law. The poverty wage is the amount needed to achieve a Federal Poverty Level income. The Living Wage is the amount required to reach an identified minimum standard of living.
We are proposing that Jews United for Justice shall collect data on the extent to which hourly wages of employees in Jewish communal agencies, organizations and congregations fall at or below the Federal Poverty Line. Should the collected data indicate that there are staff paid at the level of poverty wages, JUJ will develop a program to educate the Jewish community on this issue and advocate, as appropriate, for an increase to raise wages beyond the poverty level towards a Living Wage in keeping with Jewish ethics and values.
If you would be interested in working on this initiative, please contact Louis Albert at
lalbert@jfcs-stl.org.
Raise Up Missouri!
Raise Up Missouri. Fight for Minimum Wage increase. More here!
Great Victory on August 7
Prop A fell - as it should have!
This link will take you to the
Faith Leader Call to Action on Prop A- An Unjust Law
In Isaiah 10: 1-4 (NIV), the Prophet Isaiah declares,
“Woe to those who make unjust laws..."
Address
JUJ - Jews United for Justice
Attn. Ellen Alper, Treasurer
Email Ellen here