Dear Jewish Federation,

What we declare when we answer the Census 2020 is that we are here, and we are part of  “we the people,”  and we refuse to be excluded. While we currently cannot gather together in community spaces we can each do something for the long term good of our entire community by committing to complete the Census 2020 Questionnaire. This is the offering you can bring, the actionable prayer you can make on behalf of your community without leaving y our home.

We learn from our Torah that certain sacrificial offerings were made by people for themselves and their families and other sacrifices were offered on behalf of the entire community. These offerings were performed not just for the individual, but to strengthen the spiritual foundation of the population at large.

When we participate in Census 2020, it goes towards ensuring that our neighbor’s families as well as our own have access to schools and health care.  It helps determine funding for fire departments and roads and infrastructures. It determines how legislatures are counted.  The Census helps determine where hospitals and medical care are most needed ensuring access to those who are most vulnerable in our communities. 

It is vital to know that our Census is carried out only every 10 years.  What happens now, therefore, will be in place for a very long time.  We need to strengthen the foundation of all communities, in a time of unfathomable public health crisis.

You can choose to respond online, by phone, or by mail.  It is important to remember that every person living in your home as of April 1, 2020 (Census Day) whether related or unrelated, including babies and children, should be counted.  Where there are more people there are more needs.

Due to COVID-19  Self Responses have been revised to October 31, 2020. But do not wait.  Respond ASAP!  

Thank you, 

Betty & Arthur  Levy, 

Co-Chairs, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven