Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council) is a New York-based non-profit social services organization. It offers services to help needy New Yorkers.
and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York to begin its programs. Although founded to help the Jewish poor, today Met Council’s services help all New Yorkers, regardless of age, sex, religion, race or ethnicity.
Met Council is governed by a Board of Directors, headed since 1992 by CEO/Executive Director William E. Rapfogel.
New York City has a poverty rate of 20%, well above the 12% national average.
Met Council works to assist New Yorkers in need and raise awareness about the growing problem of Jewish poverty. The organization has eight main departments, each providing services that help New Yorkers who are struggling financially.
Examples include the crisis intervention department which aids clients going through job loss, eviction, utility turn-off, medical needs and other emergencies. Career services leads workshops on job searches, resume skills, and interview preparation and has training programs for careers in healthcare. In the United States, Met Council has the largest kosher food pantry and opened the three kosher soup kitchens in partnership with Masbia.
, City Harvest and Masbia.
History
The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, also known as Met Council, was founded in 1972 after two studies reported 300,000 Jewish New Yorkers live in poverty. Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty received support from the American Jewish CongressAmerican Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
and the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York to begin its programs. Although founded to help the Jewish poor, today Met Council’s services help all New Yorkers, regardless of age, sex, religion, race or ethnicity.
Met Council is governed by a Board of Directors, headed since 1992 by CEO/Executive Director William E. Rapfogel.
Mission and services
The Federal Poverty Guideline, based on a standard developed in the 1960s, does not consider regional differences in the cost of housing, transportation, and taxes.New York City has a poverty rate of 20%, well above the 12% national average.
Met Council works to assist New Yorkers in need and raise awareness about the growing problem of Jewish poverty. The organization has eight main departments, each providing services that help New Yorkers who are struggling financially.
Examples include the crisis intervention department which aids clients going through job loss, eviction, utility turn-off, medical needs and other emergencies. Career services leads workshops on job searches, resume skills, and interview preparation and has training programs for careers in healthcare. In the United States, Met Council has the largest kosher food pantry and opened the three kosher soup kitchens in partnership with Masbia.
Partner organizations
The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty works with 25 local Jewish Community Councils and is affiliated with the UJA Federation of New York. Met Council also partners with Food Bank For New York CityFood Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City is a non-profit social services organization. Its aim is to organize food, information and support for needy citizens of New York City.-History:The Food Bank For New York City was founded in 1983...
, City Harvest and Masbia.