Tzedek DC

Righteous Crowd is supporting Tzedek DC, an organization inspired by a central tenet of Jewish teachings, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice we shall pursue.” These words were just read this past Shabbat. Tzedek DC provides free legal services to low-income and working-poor individuals suffering from debt-related and other consumer protection legal crises. 

Here is Tzedek DC's 2021 mid-year update.

In addition to handling debt collection matters, Tzedek DC is also available to help with fraud, scams, and other consumer concerns related to the Coronavirus outbreak, including fake virus tests, predatory loans above the legal interest rate cap of 24%, and illegal price gouging.

We will be attending Tzedek DC's virtual gala on September 13, 2021. Please join us.
Eat Well, Do Justice - SPREAD HUMMUS, NOT HATE.    

Read the interview below with Tzedek DC's founder, Ariel Levinson-Waldman, conducted in 2019 when Righteous Crowd first supported Tzedek DC. 

What is the mission of Tzedek DC?

Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the rights of low-income DC families from all faiths and backgrounds facing debt-related problems, and, in engaging in this on the ground, direct services legal work through reliance on Jewish community resources and volunteers, to build bridges across faith and racial lines in the Greater Washington community.

Why did you decide to start Tzedek DC?

In 2015, community leaders, service providers, and residents in the District of Columbia, backed by a fellowship from The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, pinpointed an area of acute unmet need in the nation’s capital: legal help for low-income families with often life-altering problems arising from debt. By all accounts, debt-related problems were widespread and severe; 95% of low-income residents received no legal help in such cases -- though the help was highly effective for those who did obtain it -- and predatory lending and debt collection lawsuits were disproportionately targeted at communities of color. A group of determined volunteers from the Greater Washington Jewish community, including several with consumer protection and debt-related legal experience, decided to take steps towards closing this persistent justice gap.

For our 2019 full interview with Ariel, click here.

To learn more about Tzedek DC visit https://www.tzedekdc.org
Please join Righteous Crowd in supporting Tzedek DC.