Celebrate Human Rights Shabbat, December 12-13! Sign up today!

Celebrate Human Rights Shabbat, December 12-13, 2008! This year marks 60 years since the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark document proclaiming the international values of human equality and freedom. The Declaration was proclaimed in part as a response to the horror and human rights of abuses of the Holocaust and the Second World War, and was part of the international response of "Never Again." The Declaration contains key passages on civil liberties, equality, the rule of law, and humane treatment of detainees. It also enshrines in international discourse the concept of k'vod habriot, the inherent dignity of all human beings.

In honor of this historic occasion, RHR-NA and K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network have declared the Shabbat following International Human Rights Day to be Human Rights Shabbat. There are many ways for your community to participate, big and small. Learn which congregations have signed up for Human Rights Shabbat and  sign up today!

Complete Human Rights Shabbat resource material is attached as a PDF to the bottom of this page, or click the links below.

How to participate

Every community can participate in Human Rights Shabbat! Here are the multitude of ways to get involved:

• Announce it is Human Rights Shabbat in your congregation and mention it from the bimah
• Read a Prayer for International Human Rights Day from the bimah (or a reading of your choice on human rights)
• Distribute a handout on the connection between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Jewish values
• Give a d'var torah on Judaism and Human Rights
• Hang a Stop Torture banner
• Hold a Lunch and Learn, or other type of study session, on Judaism and Human Rights 
• Make human rights the theme of one of your Shabbat services
• Invite a guest to speak on human rights
• Hold a Scholar-in-Residence weekend on Judaism and human rights

In honor of 60 years of universal human rights, Jewish communities participating in Human Rights Shabbat should also sign up individuals for K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network and join K'vod Habriot as a congregation if they have not already done so.

You can participate in whatever way best meets the needs of your community! Please let us know what you are planning!

Resources from Rabbis for Human Rights and K'vod Habriot

• A Prayer for International Human Rights Day
• A one page handout with background on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its connection to Jewish themes
• Suggestions for divrei torah on Judaism and human rights.
• Our Human Rights Haggadah
• A text study on Jewish themes in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• A guide for a human rights-themed Shabbat service
• Sign up material for K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network
• Stop Torture banners
• Resource material on Jewish values and torture
• Suggested readings on Judaism and human rights

Resources will be posted as they become available, so check back often!

To sign up, please contact Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Director of Education and Outreach.

If your community has a conflict on December 12-13, the alternate Shabbat is December 5-6th. You will still be listed with Jewish communities across North America coming together in observance of this key anniversary for the rights of people everywhere.