Episode
A Conversation with Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON
- Published
- Feb 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2668
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- https://share.transistor.fm/s/789b53b7
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Summary
In this conversation, Rabbi Ari Averbach and Abby J. Leibman discuss the themes of moral courage, social justice, and the mission of MAZON, a Jewish response to hunger. Abby shares her journey into advocacy, the importance of policy change, and the role of the Jewish community in addressing hunger. They reflect on the legacy of Rabbi Schulweis and the concept of Tikkun Olam, emphasizing the responsibility individuals have to pursue justice and repair the world. We also hear directly from Rabbi Schulweis via an excerpt from the sermon “ Does God have a Conscious ”, given on Kol Nidre in 1993. Topics include : The Philosophy of MAZON Ms. Leibman explains that MAZON (the Hebrew word for "food" or "sustenance") operates on the principle that hunger is not a result of a lack of food, but a failure of policy . While charity and food banks provide immediate relief, they are "band-aids" that do not solve the underlying causes. MAZON focuses on long-term systemic change through political advocacy and legislative reform. Challenging the "Invisible" Hunger A major theme of the conversation is the populations that are often overlooked by traditional anti-hunger programs: Military Families: Ms. Leibman highlights the startling reality that many active-duty junior-enlisted military families rely on food pantries. This is often due to low pay scales and a "loophole" that counted housing allowances as income, which disqualified many families from SNAP (food stamps). Veterans: She discusses the high rates of food insecurity among veterans, particularly those transitioning back to civilian life or dealing with service-related disabilities. Single Mothers & LGBTQ+ Individuals: The podcast touches on how systemic barriers and discrimination exacerbate poverty in these communities. The…