Resources

“There shall be law for the citizen and for the stranger who dwells among you.” (Exodus 12:49)

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Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut:A Talmudic-style Commentary on Israel's Declaration of Independence was created by Rabbis for Human Rights in 2008 in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary. Each of the eight tractates contains excerpts from Israeli founding documents, historical and contemporary commentaries related to the excerpt, and study questions.

A New Jerusalem Day? By Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Open Zion, The Daily Beast, May 18, 2012.

Al HaNisim: A Prayer on Miracles for Yom Yerushalayim. For Yom Yerushalayim 2012/5772 by Rabbi Gilah Langner.

What Comes After Independence? A D'var Torah on Counting the Omer, the South Hebron Hills, Regavim, and the Jewish National Mission for Parshat Emor 2012/5772 by Rabbi Arik Ascherman.

Prayer for Al Arakib, a Repeatedly Demolished Unrecognized Israeli Bedouin Village: Prepared by Rabbis for Human Rights.

Zionism, Independence, and Moral Responsibility: A Reflection for Yom Ha'Atzma'ut 2012/5772 by Rabbi Idit Lev, Director of Rabbis for Human Rights' Economic and Social Justice Department.

Cleaning House: A D'var Torah for Parshat Tazria-Metzora 2012/5772 by Rabbi Lester Bronstein.

Al Arakib, and the Boundaries of Holiness: A D'var Torah for Parshat Tzav 2012/5772 by Marisa James, RHR-NA's Rabbinical Student Fellow in Israel.

Cast Out in the Be’er Sheva Desert: Hagar, Ishmael, and the Bedouin of the Negev: A sermon for the first day of Rosh Hashanah 2011/5772 by Rabbi Joyce Galaski.

Tu B’Shvat Prayer: From Rabbis for Human Rights-Israel's Tree Planting Ceremony for Tu B’Shvat 2011/5771.

Sermon on Justice and Respect in Israel: A sermon for the High Holidays, 2010 by Rabbi Robert Dobrusin.

Sermon on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Israel for Human Rights Shabbat 2010: In this sermon, Rabbi Barry (Baruch) Leff reflects on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and suggests the need for a Universal Declaration of Human Obligations.

Sukkot and Our Bedouin Problem: Movable Booths, Dreams of Going Home – In this d’var torah from 2010, Rabbi Joey Wolf connects the holiday of Sukkot and the situation of Israeli Bedouins in the village of Al-Arakib in the Negev region. Israeli security forces have destroyed Al-Arakib time and time again, leveling their temporary structures each time they have tried to rebuild their modern-day sukkot in the desert.

Planting for the Future in Israel: A d'var torah by Rabbi Paula Marcus for Tu B'Shvat.

From Mourning to Celebration: A d'var torah by Rabbi Jill Jacobs for Tisha B'Av.

Press Release: RHR-NA Joins Israeli Human Rights Groups in Urging the Israeli Government to Study the Conclusions of the Goldstone Report, September 17, 2009.

Vidui for Yom Kippur 5769/2008 The Vidui (recounting of our sins) during the High Holidays is intended to make us feel uncomfortable, to confront us with the wrongs we have done. This Vidui relates to our society today, to the way in which we treat the unemployed and disadvantaged, immigrants, migrant workers, single mothers, the elderly, the exploited women, the Arab citizens of Israel and the Palestinians, and those we disagree with politically. Each one of us is guilty of some of these sins; collectively, we are guilty of them all.

Reflections on Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut, 5768/2008, a talmudic-style commentary on Israel's Declaration of Independence, prepared by Rabbi Gordon Tucker for the 2008 RHR-NA Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration in New York City.

Falling in Love Again with Israel: Thoughts for the High Holidays 2008/5769 by Rabbi Ellen Lippmann.

Israel at 60: The Role of the Rabbi: An op-ed by Rabbi Ed Feld for Israel’s 60’s anniversary in 2008.

Embracing Justice: Alternative Educational and Prayer Materials in Celebration of Yom Ha'Atzmaut 2008 for Israel's 60th Independence Day – These materials were used as part of an alternative mincha service during the 2008 RHR-NA Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration in New York City. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, who compiled these texts, led services with noted singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman, z”l.