DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

DECEMBER 30 • 2021 | 7

eration that it was through
school (and the “good debt”
of student loans) that we
would reach financial sta-
bility. Yet the White House
announced that a pandem-
ic-induced moratorium on
loan repayment will end in
February.
While it’s never a good
idea to claim that Jewish text
has a single opinion on any
topic, debt is a subject with
clear limitations. In the book
of Leviticus, our ancestors
are instructed about shmita,
which literally means release.
One year of every seven, Jews
were to let the land rest and
its volunteer produce be eaten
by all. The instruction deep-
ened in Deuteronomy, with
the call to: “… release, every
possessor of a loan of his
hand, what he has lent to his
neighbor. He is not to oppress
his neighbor or his brother,
for the shmita [release] of
God has been proclaimed!”
(Deut. 15:2)
As you might imagine, the
practicalities of shmita were
difficult to enforce and, over
time, the practice of shmita
largely disappeared from
Jewish life. It’s only in the last
few decades that it’s returned
to public consciousness.
Which brings us to 5782.
This year is a shmita year.
Jewish organizations across
the denominational and polit-
ical spectrum are addressing
this with intentional slimming
down of programming and
with fundraisers to alleviate
medical debt (another shame
of this county). But I haven’t
heard many Jewish organiza-
tions calling for student loan
forgiveness.
I don’t blame Jewish orga-
nizations for having other pri-
orities. We’re going into year
three of a public health crisis
while reproductive justice, fair
housing, voting access and the
right of minorities simply to

live safely are all in jeopardy.
And yet? We’re a quarter of
a way through a tailor-made
opportunity to bring Judaism
to bear on this pressing pub-
lic policy issue that deserves
attention.
What if we were to apply
this one-in-every-seven-year
debt release to student loans?
What if, every seven years,
loan servicing providers had
to forgive debt? You go to
school, you pay a reasonable
amount for a maximum of six
years after graduation, and
then you’re free?
Maybe that’s wishful think-
ing considering the priorities
of our current society. Here’s a
more realistic thought: Cancel
interest. Make student loan
borrowers pay back their prin-
cipal if you must; but make it
possible for their balance to
go down each month instead
of up. After all, we have that
instruction in the Torah, too:
“If you lend money to my peo-
ple, to the poor among you,
do not act toward them as a
creditor; exact no interest from
them.
” (Exodus 22:24)
Student debt affects people
of all ages but particularly
impacts millennials. I’ve spo-
ken to friends about what they
would do without the weight
of their student loans. They
would be able to save to buy
homes or pay their rent with-
out fear. They would quit the
higher-paying, corporate jobs
they took to afford to pay their
loans and work for nonprof-
its. They would support their
aging parents and their young
kids properly. They would be
able to think beyond their next
paycheck, perhaps for the first
time.
What a worthy release that
would be.

Rabbi Emily Cohen is the spiritual lead-

er of West End Synagogue in New York

City, a podcast producer and an artist.

She tweets @ThatRabbiCohen.

South Florida
Real Estate

SHELDON
JAFFEE

LANGREALTY

• 40+ Years of Experience
• In-depth Knowledge
of the Market

(561) 395-8244

Proven Results!

SheldonJaffee.com

Minimally Invasive LANAP Laser T
reatment

for Gum Disease

The laser alternative to traditional gum surgery for treating
gum disease.

Minimally Invasive
Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation T
echnique™
Gives patients a minimally invasive option to treat gum
recession, eliminates discomfort and improves the smile.

The Crown Lengthening Procedure

Improves a “gummy” smile by removing excess gum tissue
for a pleasing, natural-looking smile.

Dental Implants

A replacement for a natural tooth root that has the same
function, permanence, and appearance.

www.drnemeth.com

248.357.3100 | 29829 Telegraph Road, Suite 111 | Southfi
eld, Michigan 48034

Joseph R. Nemeth, DDS & Amar Katranji, DDS, MS

LET US CREATE YOUR

BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Breakthrough Techniques and Impeccable Care for

Gum Disease and Recession, Gummy Smile and Missing Teeth

®