The Ancient Rabbis of the Talmud taught: "People who live in hovels are like nomads wandering through the desert, for they cannot feel confident they will live another day." Said one Rabbi: living in a hovel is like living in your own grave"

Babylonian Talmud Eruvin 55b

May we have the wisdom to understand this teaching, may we help our fellow New Yorkers live in safe homes, not in hovels and not in graves. And may we fulfill the meaning of King Solomon's teaching: "Through Wisdom a home is built; through Understanding a home is established; through Knowledge its rooms are filled with sweetness and wealth."

Proverbs 24: 3-4