Israel at 60: An Invitation to a Discussion
Submitted by Ed Feld on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 14:54.
We are a privileged generation: we live at a time when there is a free and democratic Jewish state. The words of hatikvah articulate the simple truth -- a two thousand year old hope of Jewish autonomy has been realized. For many, and certainly for most Jewish generations, the dream of a state was intimately connected to the possibility of fully living a life of Torah; for many Zionist thinkers, the possibility of statehood was a dream of no longer being victim but instead of being creators of a just society of a free people. The wrongs which had been perpetrated against us would now be righted. With privilege comes responsibility.
Volunteers Help Harassed Palestinian Farmers
Submitted by Ed Feld on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 16:00.
Israel is in the full throes of spring and planting season has started. One of the most significant activities with which Rabbis for Human Rights-Israel has been involved has been acting as human shields as Palestinians go out to plant their fields. Each year, settlers harass these farmers and frequently the military does not intervene.
The Torture Debate in the News: Some recent articles
Submitted by Rachel Kahn-Troster on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 18:23.
Every time I think that U.S.-sponsored torture has dropped off the national radar, new information or analysis comes to the forefront. A few magazines have taken up torture in recent issues, offering invaluable insight into the national debate over the use of waterboarding and other so-called "enhanced interrogation" techniques.
Abu Ghraib and the Smoking Gun
Submitted by Ed Feld on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 13:38.
The smoking gun has finally been revealed. Responding to an ACLU Freedom of Information Act request, the Justice Department has released a previously classified document it authored in 2001 which argues that the use of harsh interrogation methods does not constitute torture.
Israel at 60: The Role of the Rabbi
Submitted by Ed Feld on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 15:14.
This year is the first year that I hear Israelis remark that the State may be a temporary phenomenon: "I am happy to live in a Jewish state, to be alive at a time when Jews have a state. But the last state we had, the Maccabean one, two thousand years ago, lasted a hundred years, and this one will probably be shortlived, as well. We don't know how to be an autonomous people and live in a larger world. We are always overtaken by fanaticism," one Israeli told me.
Hamas and the Preaching of Hatred
Submitted by Ed Feld on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 15:47.As much as the defense of human rights is contingent on the just administration of law and the proper protections that the law offers, it equally depends on the attitudes of populations. Whatever the law may be on the books, policemen and women, soldiers in the field, prosecutors and average citizens all become responsible for the protection or violation of human rights.
Equity, Justice and Peace: Reflections on the Arrest of Rabbi Arik Ascherman
Submitted by Brian Walt on Sun, 03/16/2008 - 20:28.
I will never forget touring Silwan with Arik a few years ago when we went to Israel to rebuild the Dari home. We listened to a local Palestinian resident of Silwan talk about the harassment from those religious Israeli extremists who have occupied homes of Palestinians in Silwan.
They put fences and barricades around their homes, and have a security force to protect them, as their hostile takeover of these homes is not supported by their neighbors (big surprise!). One can see these houses by the huge Israeli flags that dot the neighborhood, also conveying a clear and powerful message.
Embracing Justice: RHR-NA celebrates Yom Ha'Atzmaut in New York
Submitted by Rachel Kahn-Troster on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 18:20.
Over 70 rabbis gathered on May 8th in New York to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut and the launching of the Planting Justice: Two Trees initiative. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub and singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman led the crowd in a special mincha for Yom HaAtzma'ut and Rabbi Gordon Tucker taught from RHR's Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut. View pictures of the event and read more about it.
RHR Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman Tours the U.S. in Honor of Israel's 60th Anniversary
Submitted by Lori Shaller on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 17:58.
Rabbis for Human Rights Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman arrived in the U.S. from Israel on Friday, May 9 and will be speaking and teaching across the continent in the next two weeks. We've published his schedule below so you will be able to attend an event in your area.
In Pursuit of Justice: Two Trees Campaign Launched
Submitted by Lori Shaller on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 16:07.
RHR is marking Israel's 60th anniversary with a new action: Planting Justice: Two Trees Initiative. Funds raised through this initiative will be used to plant trees in impoverished neighborhoods in Israel and in the West Bank. Download the flyer that you can reproduce and distribute. Make a secure donation online.
RHR Human Rights Trip to Israel November 9-19, 2008
Submitted by Lori Shaller on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 15:52.
Join Rabbis Brian Walt and Tirzah Firestone for an unprecedented, hands-on trip to Israel and the West Bank. You CAN make a difference!
Stop Torture Banner Project: Now with direct ordering through RHR-NA!
Submitted by Rachel Kahn-Troster on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 14:30.
Take a public stand against torture! RHR-NA and K'vod Habriot have joined with the National Religious Campaign Agains Torture (NRCAT) to bring the anti-torture message to congregations across the country. Order a Stop Torture banner from RHR-NA to hang in your community!
June is Torture Awareness Month and our goal is to have 25 Jewish communities display the banner in June and beyond to show our leaders that the Jewish community is speaking out against U.S.-sponsored torture.
Celebrate Israel at 60 and 20 years of RHR with two exciting programs!
Submitted by Rachel Kahn-Troster on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 22:42.
Bring in an RHR Speaker
From May 9-22, immediately after Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, Rabbi Arik Ascherman will be visiting the United States on a speaking tour. In November, Rabbi David Forman has generously offered to speak at a limited number of fundraising events on behalf of Rabbis for Human Rights.
Study with RHR
Join Israeli communities in studying Masekhet Haatzmaut, a Talmudic style commentary on Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
