Rabbinic Letter Against Torture - Background

This letter is the first ever national inter-denominational rabbinic statement on the issue. It is our hope that we will get hundreds of rabbis from all the movements to sign this statement. The rabbinic letter will be used for education and advocacy as part of a longer-term campaign against torture.

In terms of education, the text of the letter, along with other materials that we are currently developing, will be used to generate moral discussion and debate in synagogues, Hillels, Federations, community relations councils, Jewish community centers and other communal institutions. There are very few resources on Jewish values and the issue of Torture. We have hired a rabbinic intern to develop a resource for rabbis with an analysis of Jewish sources and values related to this issue and some suggestions for sermons, divrey Torah and classes on the issue. It is our hope to distribute this resource by June.

The letter is also part of an advocacy campaign for a ban by the United States government on the use of torture. We plan to organize delegations of local rabbis who will meet with their senators on the issue. We will also join with other religious groups and human rights groups that are working towards the repudiation of the use of torture by the United States government.

You can help with this campaign in any one of the following ways:

1. Most importantly, please read the letter and share it with to any rabbinic colleagues who you think would be interested in participating.
2. Please let us know if you are prepared to participate in a rabbinic delegation in your local area to meet with your Senator.
3. Please let us know if you have any resources on this issue that may be helpful to rabbinic colleagues or if you able to do some research and writing of materials on the issue.
4. Lastly we need funding for the project. Do you know someone who would be interested in funding this particular project?

If you wish to offer help beyond signing the letter, please write to Rabbi Brian Walt at brianwalt@rhr-na.org.