Giving Voice to the Voiceless

By Rabbi Mark Borovtiz

Last night I was honored to be an attendee at the Premiere of Food Chains, a movie depicting the struggle of Farm Workers to be recognized as human beings and be treated as human beings. The movie follows the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their “fight” with Publix Food Chain to pay “a penny a pound” for tomatoes. I know Lucas Benitez, Greg Asbed and Jon Esformes who all forged an agreement that changed the Tomato Industry.

The reason I begin with this is because it is extremely important to get people out to Pasadena next weekend to watch this movie, take action to protest against the Chains and the Food Purveyors and Restaurant Chains that still don’t believe in the “Fair Food Agreement.” This agreement states that the retailers will pay “a penny a pound” more, which is passed directly into the workers’ hands and thus doubles their pay. It is an agreement that obligates them to do business with farmers who follow the conditions of decency, protection and working conditions that recognize Tomato Farm Workers as equal and important human beings.

What is so disturbing to me is that we are still having this fight in this country in the year 2015. Where is the Jewish Community, the other Religious Communities in making sure that every worker is treated with respect and dignity? We are the descendants of the prophets and we are not shouting from the rooftops and in the streets about HUMAN RIGHTS of Farm Workers?!?! I don’t understand this. We have to give voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless, this is our heritage, this is our inheritance and this is our mission.

We have a unique opportunity to live our principles next weekend and beyond. Don’t get bogged down in the lies of the people and corporations who don’t sign on. This is not about immigration; this is about the treatment of human beings. This is about people who are skilled labor that provide a service to all of us by picking the fruits and vegetables that we eat. We must remember that the supermarkets and restaurants and the Food Purveyors don’t grow anything! The Farmers and the Workers provide these necessary foods to and for us. When do we stand up for them??? As Rabbi Hillel says: If not now, When?

The movie is opening at The Laemmle Theater in Pasadena. See the movie so that it continues past opening week. Take the pledge and get involved in the Fair Food Program. As Rabbi Heschel says, “In a free society, some are guilty and all are responsible.” Please BE RESPONSIBLE, here is an opportunity to care for the widow, the orphan, the stranger and the poor. Being Addicted to Redemption forces me to stand up to wrong and stand with all of my brothers and sisters.  Please join me.