Muslims, Jews Press US Government For Kosher, Halal Food Relief

A bipartisan congressional letter, supported by Muslim and Jewish groups, has urged the U.S. government to ensure that kosher and halal meat is available through emergency food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter, spearheaded by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), was sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday and has garnered signatures from 48 Democratic lawmakers.

The letter highlights that approximately 29 million Americans are grappling with food insecurity due to the pandemic, which has exacerbated existing challenges. It expresses concern over the limited availability of kosher and halal meat and other protein options for observant Jews and Muslims relying on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This program is crucial for providing food assistance to vulnerable populations, and the letter calls for improvements to ensure that the dietary needs of all religious communities are met.

In addition to Rep. Meng, other notable signatories include Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.). It is noteworthy that Deutch, a Jewish representative, and Omar, a Muslim representative, have put aside their differences on Israeli policy to collaborate on this issue, reflecting a rare moment of unity between them.

Jewish signatories also include Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Elaine Luria (D-Va.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

This initiative is backed by a coalition of prominent Muslim and Jewish organizations, including ICNA Relief Muslims for Humanity, the Met Council on Jewish Poverty, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Agudath Israel of America, Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, Jewish Women International, and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies.

Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Government Affairs, noted that while food distribution networks overall have struggled during the pandemic, the availability of kosher and halal food has been particularly impacted. He emphasized the need for systemic improvements to ensure that TEFAP can effectively serve the dietary needs of diverse communities.

Rabbi Ari Hart, from the Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, expressed the importance of collaboration between Muslim and Jewish groups in advocating for food equity. He stated, “It is an uplifting experience to work with our Muslim brothers and sisters on hunger advocacy, especially concerning kosher and halal food requirements.”