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A blessing by Rabbi Susan Goldberg
Min hametzar karati Yah
From the narrow place I called out to God.
A vision was born in the narrow place, in the tomato fields of Florida. Amid forced
labor, sexual assault, abuse, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers CALLED OUT for
safety, respect, dignity, humanity.
Called out with organizing
Called out with stories, songs, teatro, marches, boycotts
Called out to growers, grocers, restaurants, consumers
Called out to students, clergy
Called out to us all
Anani ba-merchav Yah
God answered from the expanse
The Fair Food Program was born, an international benchmark for what is possible in
agriculture, what is possible for labor when we come together:
Work free of forced labor, child labor, sexual assault, and violence. Amen
Freedom to make complaints without the fear of losing your job—or worse. Amen
Work in an environment where sexual harassment, discrimination, and
verbal abuse are not tolerated. Amen
Participation in Worker Health and Safety Committees. Amen
Safety from dangerous conditions including toxic pesticide exposure
and lightning. Amen
Access to shade, clean drinking water, and bathrooms as needed. Amen
Living in safe and secure housing where rent does not reduce wages
below minimum wage. Amen
We celebrate the CIW for following the teachings of the prophet Isaiah:
“To unlock fetters of wickedness
To let the oppressed go free;
To break off every yoke.
To share your bread with the hungry,
And to take the wretched poor into your home;
When you see the naked, to clothe them,
And not to ignore your own kin.
Then shall your light burst through like the dawn.”
Inspired by what is possible when we work together for justice,
may our light burst forward into a new dawn. Amen
