In Pursuit of Justice

In Pursuit of Justice is RHR's yearlong campaign to mark the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel and the 20th anniversary of RHR's human rights work in Israel, promoting justice, freedom, and equality for all those living in Israel and under its jurisdiction - Jewish and Arab alike. With this campaign, RHR calls on Israel to rededicate itself to the values and vision of its founders as espoused in the Declaration of Independence and by its prophets and rabbis through the centuries.

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.

The attached PDF was used as part of an alternative mincha service during the 2008 RHR-NA Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration in New York, during which the Planting Justice: Two Trees initiative was launched. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, who compiled these texts, led services with noted singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman.

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.

60 Rabbis, Cantors and Rabbinical Students Celebrate Israel at 60! (See partial list of participants.) Please join us and invite your friends to join us on Thursday, May 8, 1:45 P.M. at Merchants' Gate in Central Park, New York City (Central Park South and West at Columbus Circle) for Embracing Justice: An Alternative Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration. We will: plant two trees for justice, pray and sing for justice in a special Minkha (afternoon) Service with Rabbi Simkha Weintraub and Debbie Friedman, renowned singer-songwriter, and learn for justice with Rabbi Gordon Tucker teaching from RHR's Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut.

Join Rabbis Brian Walt and Tirzah Firestone for an unprecedented, hands-on trip to Israel and the West Bank. You CAN make a difference!