Jewish Family Service Syrian Relief
Over the next year, the Obama administration has plans to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees fleeing from persecution in their war-torn country. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have fled to Europe. But many US politicians have raised serious concerns about letting in Syrian refugees, fearing ISIS could sneak in with them, as has happened in Europe.
Despite the controversy, relief agencies across the country are continuing to do their work, resettling Syrian refugees. Jewish Family Service of Western Mass has helped resettle a few Syrian families locally in the last couple of years. Connecting Point’s Carolee McGrath spoke with Maxine Stein, the president and CEO of the agency to find out how the refugee program works and to hear her perspective on the controversy.
Tipping in Stores & Restaurants
On January 1, the minimum wage in Massachusetts was bumped up to $10 an hour. But some don’t feel that’s enough of a raise. There is a $15 an hour minimum wage movement, with proponents across the country pushing for higher hourly rates for workers.
The owner of Haymarket Cafe in Northampton is on board with $15 an hour movement, and as of November he eliminated tipping for his wait-staff and started paying everyone the same $14 an hour wage, which will increase over time. Peter Simpson explained his business model to Connecting Point’s Carolee McGrath.
Meat & Cancer
Wilson Mertens, MD , Vice President and Medical Director for Cancer Services at the Baystate Regional Cancer Program, discusses recent findings released by the United Nations’ World Health Organization warning of the cancer dangers of eating bacon and processed meats, cold cuts, and beef.
