Rabbis for Human Rights Organizes Protest Against Discrimination on the Eve of Jerusalem Day
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 05/25/2009
On Thursday, May 21, the eve of Yom Yerushalayim, RHR held a protest against the discrimination of the residents of East Jerusalem. Read more about the situation and the protest.
This is Zionism?
Lori Shaller | 06/03/2009Torturing the Image of God
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 05/11/2009In this moving essay, Rabbi Arthur Waskow meditates on the recent Pew Forum survey showing that the more religious Americans are, the more likely they are to support acts of torture as a form of interrogation.
» read morePresident Obama Signs Executive Order Against Torture
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 01/22/2009
On January 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order ending the practic of U.S.-sponsored torture. Watch video of this historic day and read a letter from the leadership of RHR-NA, as well as a press release.
Special Offer for RHR-NA Donors and Friends on New Israeli Poetry Anthology
Lori Shaller | 05/04/2009Through a generous offer by Editor Rachel Tzvia Back, we are delighted to be able to offer donors and friends of Rabbis for Human Rights - North America a 40% discount on the newly translated paperback poetry anthology With and Iron Pen: Twenty Years of Hebrew Protest Poetry.
» read moreJustice Department Releases More Classified Memos on Torture; President Obama won't seek prosecutions of CIA interrogations
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 04/20/2009On April 17, the Justice Department released more memos detailing the brtual tactics used on prisoners at Guantanamo and in CIA secret prisons. The release of the memos, which had been opposed by the CIA, was seen as a move towards greater transparency about American interrogation tactics since the beginning of the War on Terror. At the same time, President Obama assured CIA agents that they will not face prosecutions for their actions. Read more.
» read moreGaza Crisis
We invite you to join a moderated public discussion in which supporters of RHR-NA respectfully discuss the Gaza Crisis.
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Planting Justice
In honor of Israel's 60th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Rabbis for Human Rights, Rabbis for Human Rights—North America led a human rights solidarity mission to Israel and the West Bank. The mission was part of In Pursuit of Justice, a campaign to support the efforts of Rabbis for Human Rights and all those in Israel working to fulfill the dream of an Israel that upholds equality and justice for all-Jews and Arabs alike. Click here to watch the video.
The Morning Commute
Lori Shaller | 01/15/2009The author of this piece, Ali Berlow, was a participant on the RHR-NA Human Rights Mission to Israel and the West Bank last November and wrote this piece, which was inspired by a coffee vendor at the checkpoint between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, while on the trip.
» read moreJ Street Conference "Driving Change, Securing Peace" Oct. 25-8 in DC
Brian Walt | 06/22/2009
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, is a co-sponsor of the J Street conference, Driving Change, Securing Peace, to be held in Washington D.C. from October 25-28. All RHR-NA donors are entitled to a 20% discount on conference registration. We hope that hundreds of our donors and supporters will attend this important conference. To register with the RHR-NA discount, click here. For more information about the conference, click here.
Torture Awareness Month Statement, 2009
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 06/17/2009
In the months since President Obama issued his critical Executive Order that ensures lawful interrogations, it has been clear that the campaign to end U.S.-sponsored is not over. Much work still needs to be done to fully understand what has happened since 9/11 and to prevent the United States from ever using torture again. Read on for a statement from RHR-NA about why we must still continue to work to bring about an end to torture.
Telling the President to Appoint A Commission of Inquiry: Reports on the June 11 meeting from RHR-NA and NRCAT
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 06/15/2009On June 11, senior religious leaders held a public witness in front of the White House to continue the call on President Obama to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigate American participation in torture since 9/11. Hundreds of activists gathered for an interfaith rally. Following the meeting, over 30 religious leaders (including Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster of RHR-NA and Rabbi Steve Gutow of the JCPA) met with a high level delegation of senior White House staff to discuss our call for the Commission. Read a report from Rabbi Kahn-Troster or click here to read a report from NRCAT.
» read moreReligious Leaders meet with Senior White House Officials on June 11; RHR-NA to participate
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 06/10/2009Following the June 11 religious witness outside the White House, 33 senior religious leaders, including RHR-NA Director of Education Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, will participate in a meeting with senior White House officials to discuss the need for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate American torture policy since 9/11. Read on for the press release from NRCAT.
» read moreRHR Executive Director Arik Ascherman Visiting the US this June
Lori Shaller | 05/13/2009RHR Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman begins his Spring 2009 educational and fund raising tour of the U.S. on May 31st. Arik will be speaking in a variety of settings, and we have posted his schedule here.
» read moreRabbi Brian Walt speaks as part of NRCAT press conference responding to Pew Survey on religious Americans and torture.
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 05/11/2009Read a summary of Rabbi Brian Walt's remarks during an NRCAT press conference about a recent survey about the religious community's support for the use of torture. The complete recording of the conference can be downloaded from here.
» read moreRHR-NA and B'Tselem Urge Secretary Clinton to Support Goldstone Commission
Lori Shaller | 05/05/2009RHR-NA and B'Tselem have written to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asking her to support the Goldstone Commission.
» read moreObserve Torture Awareness Month 2009: Steps you can take in your community this June
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 04/29/2009
This June, communities across the country will observe Torture Awareness Month. We ask you to take action in your community to both remember all those around the world who have been victims of torture and to call for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate actions taken by the United States since 9/11 towards detainees. Read on for resources information from RHR-NA, TAASC, and NRCAT.
RHR-NA Executive Director Position Available
Lori Shaller | 04/28/2009
RHR-NA is seeking an Executive Director. Click here to download the job description and position qualifications.
Take Action: Read about the recently released Torture Memos and find out what you can do to end torture for good
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 04/21/2009
Learn how you can respond to the President's release of four new "Torture Memos." Call for a Commission of Inquiry and read analysis of the decision to make the memos public.
Urge the U.S. Government to Freeze Settlements
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom is inviting you to take action by writing to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on the issue of settlements in the Occupied Territories.
» read moreRHR-NA Supports Secretary of State Clinton's Position on Home Demolition
Lori Shaller | 03/13/2009
On March 11, 2009 Rabbis for Human Rights – North America sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton a letter in support of her recent statements that the proposed Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem was “unhelpful to the peace process” and “not in keeping with the obligations entered into under the 'road map.'" The letter is published here.
Take Action! Ask Congress to establish a committee to investigate American use of torture.
As a country, we must put into place safeguards to ensure that torture never happens again. To do this, we need to understand what has happened since 9/11, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Rabbis for Human Rights-North America has joined with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture to call for an impartial, nonpartisan, and independent "Commission of Inquiry" to investigate U.S.-sponsored torture policies and practices. Endorse their statement and read an article from Salon about the views of various experts on why a Commission needs to be truly independent. Also, important analysis from Gary Kamiya and Dahlia Lithwick. Learn more.
Thank the President for the Executive Order against torture by adding your name to RHR-NA's letter; Resources from NRCAT
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America and K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network are sending a letter of appreciation to President Obama for his Executive Order on Ensuring Lawful Interrogations. Learn how you can add your name to the letter.
Educational resources from the 2008 Conference now available! Order recordings of the Conference sessions!
Rachel Kahn-Troster | 12/10/2008There were many fantastic learning opportunities at the Second North American Conference on Judaism and Human Rights, December 7-9, 2008, in Washington. Read on for David Gushee's words on human rights in the Christian tradition, Rabbi Arthur Green's provocative talk "Religious Jew, Secular Zionist," and more! Recordings of the Conference sessions are also available for purchase.
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