10 | MARCH 5 • 2020 

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Views

including those who are not 
citizens of the United States. We 
are part of a huge effort to rep-
resent our states in the ultimate 
count, as in the Biblical times, 
the Israelites were part of a huge 
effort to raise the silver needed 
for the Sanctuary. Without our 
input in the Census, our society 
would be missing something 
important, a half-shekel of indi-
viduals all with infinite worth.
This is why we have to 
ensure, as a society, that we 
protect those populations 
mentioned earlier. When we 
ask those who might not want 
to be noticed to step forward, 
they are taking a risk and are 
vulnerable. Therefore, U.S. law 
is strict about the privacy of 
Census responses, as stated on 
the website of the U. S. Census: 
“When you respond to the 
Census, your answers are kept 
anonymous. They are used only 
to produce statistics. The U.S. 
Census Bureau is bound by law 
to protect your answers and 
keep them strictly confidential.
” 
 Of course, this assurance 
by the government can sound 
scary and, understandably, 
it may even sound suspect, 
but the Jewish community is 
standing by to ensure these laws 
are kept and these vulnerable 
individuals and families are pro-
tected. As you read this, many 

in the community, including 
those of us at JCRC/AJC, are 
finding ways to volunteer for 
the Census in order to make 
sure that everyone is counted 
and, importantly, safe. 
Whether we just answer the 
call of the Census or help to 
ensure all those around us are 
counted, let us hear the call of 
our Jewish and American tra-
ditions: Everyone has infinite 
value, everyone counts and 
everyone deserves to be noticed, 
to be cherished and to be pro-
tected.
 Households will begin 
receiving the official Census 
Bureau mail in mid-March, 
leading up to April 1, which is 
Census Day. By this date, every 
home will receive an invitation 
to participate in the Census by 
phone, online or by mail. 

Rabbi Asher Lopatin is executive director 
of the JCRC/AJC.

MICHIGAN MATTERS
Michigan stands to lose an 
estimated $1,800 of federal 
funds per year for every per-
son not counted in the Census. 
The state may also lose a 
congressional seat, resulting 
in a decrease in the number of 
seats held by Michigan in the 
Electoral College.

THE U.S. CENSUS continued from page 6

speak about never giving up, 
and explore with them what 
gives them strength, meaning, 
purpose and hope. We finish 
by singing inspirational songs 
together, songs I often hear 
patients singing on their own.
Whether Jewish or not, we all 
need a compassionate ear when 
we’
re in trouble. At some point, 
we will all require help from 
someone else. We can make 
an impact on someone’
s life 

by simply listening and saying 
something kind when needed. 
It doesn’
t matter what religion 
we are, we all need to feel that 
we are not alone in what we 
are going through. We all need 
hope. As it says in Ecclesiastes 
9:4: “
As long as there is life, 
there is hope.
” 

Michael Aldouby is a chaplain at a 

Detroit hospital. He can be reached at 

michaelaldouby@gmail.com.

KINDNESS continued from page 8

