Posted by Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Categories: Israel, West Bank
on Apr 4th, 2012 | 0 comments
Photo by Suzie Tremmel via flickr.com. Creative Commons License.
As we joyously sing Hallel on seder eve, and throughout Passover, we will recite the line, “Even ma’asu ha’bonim haita l’rosh pina, The stone rejected (or perhaps disparaged) by the builders will become the cornerstone.” We look to God for restorative justice, and perhaps the inclusion of this verse from Psalm 118: 22 also reflects a sense of rejection and desire for vindication on the part of the psalmist. This year I still have in my head the image of the Khoshen, the breastplate of the High...
Posted by admin. Categories: Events
on Mar 29th, 2012 | 0 comments
On December 19, 2011, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America honored three extraordinary human rights heroes at a cocktail reception in a loft in downtown New York, at the crossroads of Little Italy, Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Rabbi Israel Dresner of Temple Beth Tikvah (Wayne, NJ), Rabbi Barbara Penzner of Temple Hillel B’nai Torah (Boston, MA), and Jon Esformes of Pacific Tomato Growers, Inc., were each presented with their human rights awards by actress Mayim Bialik, who hosted the sold-out evening. Cantor Jeff Klepper opened the program with a Nigun and original artworks of social...
Posted by Joshua Bloom. Categories: I Am a Rabbi for Human Rights, Other
on Mar 29th, 2012 | 2 comments
This month, RHR-NA is pleased to recognize Rabbi Susan Talve, founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, MO, as our Human Rights Rabbi of the Month.
Rabbi Susan Talve is the founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation (CRC), the only Jewish congregation in the City of St. Louis. She and her congregation have been some of the most outspoken religious advocates for universal health care in Missouri. She is among the founders and now serves as the Board President of Missouri Health Care for All, a statewide, nonpartisan, faith- and community-led grassroots movement for quality,...
Posted by Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Categories: East Jerusalem, Events, Israel, Rabbis for Human Rights
on Mar 8th, 2012 | 0 comments
In recent weeks we have enjoyed some partial, but important, successes. They, along with the breastplate of the High Priest, have helped me reflect during this Purim season on the meaning of memory, obligation, and the very essence of our task in this world.
1. The Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) confirmed statements we have heard in recent weeks that they will not plant in areas in areas where there are legal disputes over land ownership. They did so in the context of Al-Arakib, where RHR, RHR-NA, The Jewish Alliance For Change, and other friends and partners have been calling on the KKL-JNF to return...
Posted by Joshua Bloom. Categories: Human Rights Education, Israel, United States
on Mar 1st, 2012 | 0 comments
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, together with Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel, launched an interdenominational Judaism and human rights education program for North American rabbinical students, cantorial students and others studying in Israel during the 2011/2012 academic year. The Rabbinical Students for Human Rights: Year in Israel Program is an opportunity for talented students spending the academic year in Israel to learn about human rights in Israel and the Palestinian Territories and to take action on human rights issues.
To date the program has offered an introductory information...
Posted by Joshua Bloom. Categories: Slavery and Human Trafficking, United States
on Feb 6th, 2012 | 1 comment
Politic Cartoon of a chained tomato by a student at Boston's Jewish Community Day School.
