Goodstock: Brooklyn's tikkun olam fair

October 29, 2:37 PMNY Jewish Culture ExaminerDavid Cooper

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Flier for The Institute for Living Judaism's Goodstock II: a day of tikkun olam
The Institute for Living Judaism

Every December my wife Shoshana and I sit at the kitchen table and review the charitable organizations we supported the previous year; we then decide which to continue supporting, which not, and which new ones to assist. Then with our updated list of organizations to support we go to each one's website and donate money just ahead of the year end deadline so our contributions can be deducted from our income when we file our tax return a few months later.

In this year of economic hardship for so many such contributions are even more important. In a talk to transportation graduate students and professionals at NYU's Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management yesterday Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch laid bare New York state's grim fiscal forecast. "The State of New York," Ravitch said, "has in the remainder of this fiscal year a deficit of $4 billion--$3 or $4; people argue about it. Next year it's between $7 and $8 [billion], assuming revenues level off. The year after that, when the stimulus bill no loner provides any one-shots for the State of New York, the deficit will be between $15 and $18 billion. These are numbers that are unprecedented." The non-profit sector will no doubt be called upon to supplement some of the reduced services; its ability to meet those needs will depend on our ability and willingness to help.

This Sunday  there is a fun way to find out how you can help your fellow New Yorkers, people in need nationwide and world wide, and our planet's ecosystem. Brooklyn's Institute for Living Judaism will present Goodstock, a day of tikkun olam at Park Slope Jewish Center 14th Street and Eighth Avenue in Brooklyn, November 1, 2009 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM , $5 per adult, free for children accompanied by an adult. There will be activities for both kids and adults, opportunities to learn about the good works of a variety of organizations and how to help either financially or as a volunteer.

For other events this week and next see my previous article and the New York Jewish Culture Events Listings links in the right margin.

  For more information: David Cooper