What is Jubilee?
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me… to proclaim good news to the poor… freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor [Jubilee].”
Jesus of Nazareth
The Hebrew Scriptures narrate how God frees a nation of people from 400 years of slavery and brings them to a new land where they can finally live free. God instructs them to divide the promised land among each family. Over time, some families become indebted to others, sell their land, and become poor.
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But every 50th year, God instructs the people to return and redistribute all of the land, and thereby reverse the stratification of wealth and poverty. “Proclaim freedom throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property.” (Leviticus 25:10)
Right now in New Haven, we're partnering with local non-profits that provide financing, financial education, and renovations for residents to become homeowners. Our homes get offered for sale and change hands between corporations every month. Many families make enough to pay a mortgage, but don't have the wealth for a down payment. Your donations help a working class family to buy the home they are renting and transform the ownership of our community.
The year of Jubilee is now. Come help us redeem the land.