About RHR-NA
Founded in 2002, Rabbis for Human Rights - North America (RHR-NA) is an organization of rabbis from all streams of Judaism dedicated to expanding support for the mission and work of RHR in Israel, and to education and advocacy on human rights issues in North America.
RHR-NA promotes discussion of human rights issues in the Jewish community by bringing speakers from RHR into Jewish communities nation-wide, sends delegations to Israel to join our colleagues in protecting human rights in Israel, and supports the efforts of RHR to change Israeli policies that lead to human rights violations.
In North America, RHR-NA has launched Honor the Image of God: Stop Torture Now, a Jewish campaign to end U.S.-sponsored torture. The campaign includes developing educational resources and programming for rabbis and Jewish communities nation-wide and organizing Jews in local communities to participate in Jewish and interfaith efforts to end torture.
In 2006, RHR-NA hosted the first North American Rabbinic Conference on Judaism and Human Rights. In 2008, RHR-NA will host the Second North American Conference on Judaism and Human Rights for rabbis, cantors, rabbinic and cantorial students, and all Jews committed to the protection of human rights for all.
In 2007, RHR-NA launched K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network, the first Jewish Human Rights network of rabbis, communitites and individuals dedicated to the human rights of all.
On May 8, 2008, RHR-NA launched In Pursuit of Justice, a yearlong campaign to mark the 60th anniversary of Israel and the 20th anniversary of RHR and its work to promote justice, freedom and equality for all who live in Israel and under its jurisdiction - Jewish and Arab alike. There are five components to the campaign:
- Embracing Justice: An Alternative Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration and Learning,
- Planting Justice: Two Trees Initiative,
- Nurturing Justice: RHR's Human Rights Trip to Israel and the West Bank,
- Preaching Justice: An Invitation to a Discussion About Israel at 60, and
- Teaching Justice: Masekhet Atzmaut, a Talmudic-style curriculum about Israel's Declaration of Independence created by RHR, from which rabbis in Israel and in the U.S. have been teaching about the Declaration.
Donate
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America supports the work of our colleagues in Israel to protect the human rights of Israelis and Palestinians. In North America, RHR-NA leads the Jewish Campaign against U.S. sponsored Torture and has launched Kvod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network of rabbis, communities and individuals dedicated to the human rights of all.
There are different ways to make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work:
- Donate Online
- Donate by mail
- Make online pledge to become a "Rabbinic Chaver"
- Conference on Judaism and Human Rights non-registration purchases
Goals
Goals of RHR-North America
- Recruiting as many rabbis as possible from all denominations as active supporters for Rabbis for Human Rights and developing local rabbinic groups for learning and mutual support.
- Reaching out to gain widespread support for Rabbis for Human Rights within the North American Jewish communities and among all in North America who share our vision, including developing “Friends of RHR” groups in different cities.
- Raising significant funds from individual supporters, religious communities, and foundations to support the work of Rabbis for Human Rights.
- Providing speakers and materials on Judaism, human rights and the work of Rabbis for Human Rights.
- Creating an advocacy network that can respond rapidly to human rights concerns.
Principles
RHR-NA Statement of Principles
- "Every human being is created in the image of God" Bidmut Elohim asah oto: It is incumbent on each of us to act in a way that affirms the fundamental dignity of every human being. Respect for each human being is the foundation of Jewish ethics.
- "[We must] do what is just and right." La'asot Tzedek U'Mishpat: For a nation to have legitimacy, it must enforce a system of law that is fair, equitable, and just.
- "Do not oppress the stranger, orphan or widow." Ger, Yatom, V'Almananah Al Tonu: We have a duty to promote a society that cares for the economic well-being of all of its members, especially those who are most vulnerable.
- We believe that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights flows from these Jewish values, as well as from our own historical experience, especially that of the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust. Therefore, it is incumbent on us, as Jews, to defend the human rights of all who are oppressed.
Staff
Rabbi Brian Walt, Executive Director
Rabbi Brian Walt was born in South Africa where he was active as a Jewish student in the struggle against Apartheid. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Mishkan Shalom, an activist congregation that he founded in Philadelphia in 1988. He is the founder of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America.
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Director of Education and Outreach
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster was recently ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and served last year as RHR-NA's Associate Director of Education and Outreach. An educator of Jews of all ages, she served as rabbinic intern at both Congregation Beth Simchat Torah and the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan. She is a contributor to The Jew and the Carrot and Jvoices. com.
Sara Kominers, Office Administrator
Sara holds a B.A. in Global Studies from Sonoma State University in California. Sara has worked for non profit organizations such as Americorps and the YMCA, focusing on youth development and education.
Lori Shaller, Assistant Director for Development and Program
Lori taught high school students English and World History for 18 years. She has written curriculum for both English and World History education publications, and continues to teach teachers in content-area institutes. Lori is an active member of the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center.
Governance
RHR-NA Advisory Committee, Steering Committee, Board of Directors
Honorary Advisory Board
Rabbi Brad Artson Rabbi Jerome Davidson Rabbi Elliot Dorff Rabbi Amy Eilberg Rabbi David Ellenson Rabbi Laura Geller Rabbi Neil Gillman Rabbi Marc Gopin Rabbi Arthur Green Rabbi Susan Grossman Rabbi Joshua Haberman Rabbi Paul Menitoff Rabbi David Saperstein Rabbi Sid Schwarz Rabbi David Teutsch
Steering Committee
Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Chair Rabbi Joyce Galaski, Vice Chair Rabbi Charles Feinberg, Treasurer Rabbi Brian Walt, Executive Director Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Rabbi Roberto Graetz Rabbi Mordechai Liebling Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Rabbi Alana Suskin, Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Jarah Greenfield, Student Representative
Board of Directors
Rabbi Joshua Boettiger Rabbi Joshua Davidson Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell Rabbi Edward Feld Rabbi Tirzah Firestone Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg Rabbi Leonard D. Gordon Rabbi Jill Jacobs Rabbi Jonathan Lipnick Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon Rabbi Or Rose Rabbi Brant Rosen Rabbi Anna Rosenfield Rabbi Sid Schwarz Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg Rabbi Melissa Weintraub Rabbi Joseph Wolf
RHR-Israel
Founded in 1988, Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel now has a membership of over 100 Israeli rabbis and rabbinical students, including members of the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, and Renewal movements. RHR has been endorsed by the North American rabbinic associations of the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements. RHR has no affiliation with any party or ideology. In 1993, RHR was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset’s Award for its contribution to the quality of life in Israel
RHR-Israel Activities
Rabbis for Human Rights has worked courageously and tirelessly in advocating for the human rights of all. Activities include:
- Supporting health care for all.
- Providing teacher training on Jewish and Islamic teachings about human rights.
- Publishing a talmudic style commentary on Israel’s Declaration of Independence, to be used with Israeli high school students and youth groups as a vehicle for human rights education.
- Supporting the rights of vulnerable foreign workers.
- Working in coalition with other advocacy groups on behalf of the unemployed.
- Addressing issues of women’s rights and equality.
- Working with Israeli Arab citizens to preserve Muslim and Christian holy sites and to equalize the allocation of educational resources between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.
- Advocating for economic justice for all citizens.
RHR-Israel Activities in the West Bank and Gaza
“We condemn Palestinian violence and support Israel’s legitimate efforts to defend her citizens. However, Judaism teaches that even in times of conflict, there are lines which we dare not cross. The harming ofinnocent civilians crosses those lines.”
--Rabbi Arik Ascherman, RHR Executive Director
RHR activities in the West Bank and Gaza include the following:
- Protesting home demolitions and rebuilding demolished homes.
- Bringing food and humanitarian aid to besieged Palestinian villagers.
- Mobilizing rabbis and supporters in Israel and around the world to petition Israeli officials regarding human rights abuses.
- Helping to bring human rights issues to the Israeli Supreme Court.