Rabbi Marc Penner

Rabbi Marc Penner is the Dean of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University and also the Men’s Undergraduate Torah Studies program at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Penner served as the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Holliswood in Queens for 20 years. Rabbi Penner received his Semicha from RIETS in 1994 and his BA from Yeshiva College in 1991. The parent of a child with special needs, he speaks across the country on issues of children with disabilities.There is clear evidence that cohesion in society is unravelling. An ever-increasing population feel isolated and excluded by deep social inequalities.

Living in poverty, they are excluded from education, housing, culture and healthcare. As a result they feel peripheral, marginalised and desperate.

”The most vulnerable – children and older people – are suffering”

In 2019, 46% of the UK’s most vulnerable – children and older people – live in poverty, despite the fact that the UK has the fifth largest economy in the world. It is surprising then that a rise in employment is no longer reducing poverty.

Universal Credit may lead to a fall in benefits in real terms and rising rents as well as reduced help for low-income households have a further detrimental impact. It has created new phenomenon –