Dear Members of Congress,

We write as Minnesota Jewish clergy members serving a variety of organizations and congregations possessing a wide range of public policy perspectives. We are united by our profound concern that Congress is considering deep cuts and structural changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other safety net programs while over 47 million Americans struggle daily to putfood on the table. We urge you to reject these harmful proposals, and we stand ready to help you defend against any attempt to narrow, weaken, or withhold life-saving food assistance.

The proposed budget framework adopted by the House of Representatives in February directs the Committee on Agriculture to eliminate $230 billion, which cannot be accomplished without severely altering SNAP and putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of going hungry. Changes to SNAP — such as rolling back the 2021 update to the Thrifty Food Plan, expanding the work requirements that already exist for SNAP recipients, and shifting benefit costs to states — will only decrease enrollment and increase hunger. This will lead to longer lines at food shelves and soup kitchens in Minnesota and across the country who cannot meet the growing needs.

SNAP helps over 42 million food insecure Americans put meals on the table every day, including over 1 in 13 people in Minnesota. Making changes that reduce government investment in SNAP sends a message to the millions of Americans that utilize the program in times of need, communicating that this Congress does not care for the wellbeing of normal people trying to make ends meet.

In addition to addressing hunger, boosting the economy, reducing healthcare costs, and improving long-term prospects of households with low incomes, SNAP and other safety net programs provide for a level of need that the charitable sector and emergency food programs simply cannot meet. It is wholly unrealistic to expect that local charities — including many congregations and faith-based organizations — will be able to shoulder an even greater burden if the federal government cuts back its critical investments in federal safety net programs.

Our Jewish faith and traditions guide the belief that our government has a moral obligation to support the most vulnerable in our communities, and to ensure the wellbeing of all people — regardless of circumstance. Grounded in central concepts like tzedek (pursuing justice) and b’tzelem Elohim (respecting the inherent dignity of every person), we urge you to reject any proposals that would cut or attempt to weaken SNAP and other safety net programs.

This week, Jews around the world will gather at the Seder table to recall the Exodus of the ancient Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. We start the Seder reciting, “May all who are hungry enter and eat.” As a Jewish community, we will continue to do our part to fulfill this long held goal of all people being fed. We expect our policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government to continue to do their part.

Signed,

Cantor Audrey Abrams, Minnetonka

Rabbi Morris Allen, Mendota Heights

Rabbi Jill Avrin, Hopkins

Rabbi Shalom Bell, Minnetonka

Rabbi Barbara Block, Saint Paul

Rabbi Michaela Brown, Minneapolis

Rabbi Norman Cohen, Minnetonka

Rabbi Eva Cohen, Minneapolis

Rabbi Barry D. Cytron, Minneapolis

Rabbi Alexander Davis, Saint Louis Park, MN

Rabbi Max Davis, Minneapolis

Hazzan Joanna Dulkin, Minnetonka, MN

Rabbi Dr. Ryan Dulkin, Minnetonka

Rabbi Shoshana Dworsky, Saint Paul

Rabbi Daniel Ettedgui, Minnetonka

Rabbi Abraham Ettedgui, Minnetonka

Cantor Wendi Fried, Minneapolis

Rabbi Joey Glick, Minneapolis

Rabbi Matt Goldberg, Saint Louis Park

Rabbi Joel Gordon, Mendota Heights

Rabbi Jennifer Hartman, Minneapolis

Cantor Tamar Heather Havilio, Plymouth

Rabbi Justin Held, Mendota Heights

Rabbi Rebecca Kamil, Minnetonka

Rabbi Frederick Kamil, Minnetonka

Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman, Saint Paul

Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Minnetonka

Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg, Minneapolis

Rabbi Lynn Liberman, Saint Paul

Rabbi David Locketz, Minnetonka

Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm, Saint Paul

Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff, Saint Paul

Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Saint Louis Park

Rabbi Debra Rappaport, Minneapolis

Rabbi Heather Renetzky, Minneapolis

Rabbi Jason Rodich, Minneapolis

Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, Minneapolis

Rabbi Jeffrey Schein, Saint Louis Park

Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald, Saint Louis Park

Cantor Jennifer Seeger, Minnetonka

Cantor Heather Seid, Plymouth

Rabbi Sammy Seid, Minnetonka

Cantor Art Shragg, New Hope

Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, Saint Paul

Cantor Rachel Spilker, Mendota Heights

Rabbi David Steinberg, Duluth

Rabbi Sharon Stiefel, Saint Paul

Cantor Jennifer Strauss-Klein, Saint Paul

Rabbi Samantha Thal, Minnetonka

Rabbi David Thomas, Minneapolis

Rabbi Aaron Weininger, Minnetonka

Rabbi Michelle Werner, Rochester

Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Minneapolis