We, the Sephardic community of NY and NJ, are blessed in ways that one cannot count or fathom. Like no other group, we can depend on each other during happiness and sorrow, sickness and health, prosperity and hardship. Like a successful marriage, we are there for each other. Caring and helping are major elements of what it means to be a Jew; and in our community it means even more.
Everyone is well aware that today, times are tough. While some businesses, with G-d’s help, have maintained success, others have not fared as well through this economic storm. Business is slow, money is tight, and everyone, from the richest to the poorest, is making changes in their lives and in their businesses. We, too, are asking you to make a change.
Many of our brothers, sisters, cousins and friends are finding themselves without a business, a job, and without means to support their families. As the entire marketplace is cutting back, there really is nowhere for them to turn. Even once successful businesses have been forced to close their doors without the vital support from the banks. The outlook in the near future is dim at best.
Rather than accept misfortune, we ask any of you that are in a position to do so, to please consider these “family members” when hiring or reevaluating your staff. You never know, the person you choose may end up being the most qualified for the job.
Sephardic Career Services, a joint venture of Sephardic Bikur Holim and The Sephardic Angel Fund, has listings of hundreds of community members looking for work. Many are experienced, talented and just waiting for the right opportunity. Others have never been given that chance and need to be taught. Still others have plenty of energy and fire but have just been dealing with hard luck. Either way, these are people who need your help.
Rambam teaches that the highest form of tzedakah is to help a person support himself so that he does not have to depend on others. When you hire one of our community members you are not only giving a man a job—you are feeding his family, clothing his children, helping him pay his mortgage and giving purpose to his life. You are also taking him off the shoulders of the many “help” organizations that we all support with our tzedakah dollars, alleviating their burden as well.
Think about it. Maybe you need a salesman, an addition to your computer staff or warehouse personnel? Perhaps it’s a driver, messenger or receptionist? Why look outside when our community houses the best and the brightest? Consider the trust factor, consider the mitzvah factor, and consider the sheer good will. It may not have been something you’ve considered before, but today, it is your duty.
If there is any room in your business for another brain or set of hands, we beg you to remember that charity begins at home. The people who make up this community—they are your home. They have shared your happiness and your sadness. Now it is your turn to share with them.
Think about it. Just a small space, somewhere in your life or business, can help a man or woman to find his or her dignity and purpose.
With one phone call, you can do great things for the life of another family in our great community. Call Career Services at (718) 787-1400.
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This article was submitted by Sephardic Bikur Holim and has been endorsed by leading rabbis and community lay leaders.
