The Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Catholic Charities USA kicked off an interfaith effort to bring attention to the issue of poverty.
“Fighting Poverty with Faith: A Week of Action” is bringing more than 20 Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations together in a “grassroots mobilization … to elevate the issue of poverty,” said JCPA executive director Rabbi Steve Gutow in a conference call Tuesday.
Local communities will be holding events this week that will culminate with a “call-to-action” on the steps of the Capitol on Sept. 16 to emphasize the need for governmental action.
Gutow said he hoped the presidential candidates could be convinced to “be very clear” in “setting poverty reduction goals and meeting them” once they were elected.
“Silence is no longer an option,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who joined Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on the call.
