Celebrate Israel at 60 and 20 years of RHR with two exciting programs!

Dear Supporters,

I am writing to offer your community two exciting programs to celebrate Israel at 60.

1. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel and the 20th anniversary of Rabbis for Human Rights by inviting Rabbi Arik Ascherman and/or Rabbi David Forman to your community.

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. An event with Rabbi Ascherman and/or Rabbi Forman is an opportunity to celebrate Israel and the 20th anniversary of Rabbis for Human Rights. It is an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of Rabbis for Human Rights to promote justice, freedom and equality for all those living in Israel and under it’s jurisdiction, Jewish and Arab alike. It is an opportunity to affirm and fulfill the dreams of Zionism, and to support efforts to create a state that embodies the deepest values of Judaism.

These speaking tours are an integral part of RHR-NA’s goals to promote discussion about Israel in the American community and to maximize financial support for our colleagues in Israel. To fulfill the fundraising goal, you could attend a public event, which may include an honorarium and a collection of donations. Or, it’s possible to arrange a dedicated fundraising event such as a parlor meeting, or meetings with individuals who may be in a position to make a significant gift to RHR. Our goal is to raise at least $3,000 to $5,000 or more with any visit to a community. Rabbi Ascherman is willing to speak at several events in a particular community, and Rabbi Forman will speak at a fundraising event in your community. RHR-NA will provide assistance to communities hosting either of the speakers. We know that there will be more requests than we can fulfill, so please contact us now if you are interested. You can reach me at brianwalt@rhr-na.org or at (508) 696-1880.

2. Join Israeli communities in studying Masekhet Haatzmaut, a Talmudic style commentary on Israel’s Declaration of Independence

Between Pesach and Shavuot, we will be joining our Israeli colleagues studying this extraordinary text in their communities in Israel. The text itself includes Israel’s Declaration of Independence with: commentary by rabbis and academics; historical, and philosophical documents; modern Israeli poems; passages from the prayer book and Bible; and the words of statesmen, Zionist leaders and educators. The study of this text offers an opportunity to deepen your community’s relationship to Israel and Zionism, while soul-searching on the challenging issues of equality, civil rights, what it means to be a Jewish and democratic State, and the value of justice in Israel today, 60 years after Independence.

In April 2008, Rabbis for Human Rights – North America will provide English translations and adaptations of selected passages of the original curriculum in Hebrew created by RHR. If you would like to participate, please sign up now and we will mail you the material in April.

We hope to offer other programs related to this important year in Israel’s history, including a possible solidarity mission to Israel in November to work with RHR and other progressive groups working to build an Israel based on “freedom, justice and equality as envisaged by the prophets of Israel.” (from the Declaration of Independence.)

Thanks so much for your support for RHR and we hope these opportunities will enrich your celebration of Israel at 60.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Rabbi Brian Walt
Executive Director

In Pursuit of Justice is Rabbis for Human Rights’ 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.