Rabbis for Human Rights 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.

There are five components of the Campaign:

Planting Justice: Two Trees Initiative supports the efforts of Rabbis for Human Rights to plant trees in the Occupied Territories and to create green spaces in poor neighborhoods and environmentally sensitive areas in Israel.

Teaching Justice encourages rabbis and educators in North America to join with Israeli rabbis in teaching Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut, a curriculum for rabbis in North America and Israel, developed by RHR in Israel to teach about Israel's Declaration of Independence. It is a Talmudic-style commentary on Israel's Declaration of Independence that brings together traditional and contemporary texts. Rabbis in North America and in Israel have been teaching from Masekhet Ha'Atzmaut in their communities since Pesach and will continue their teaching throughout the year.

Nurturing Justice: RHR-NA's Human Rights Trip to Israel and the West Bank is RHR-NA's solidarity mission to Israel this November 9-19. RHR-NA's Executive Director Rabbi Brian Walt will be co-leading this trip with RHR-NA Board member Rabbi Tirzah Firestone. We will be planting trees in the West Bank, visiting with RHR and its partners working to fulfill the vision of justice, freedom and peace as envisaged in Israel's Declaration of Indpendence. There is space for 35, and we encourage you to act quickly to reserve a space on this unique trip to Israel if you would like to join us.

Preaching Justice is an invitation to rabbis and members of Jewish communities to participate in a web discussion about how we should respond to human rights issues in Israel.

Embracing Justice: An Alternative Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration and Learning honored Israel's founding and the signing of its Declaration of Independence 60 years ago. It was held in New York's Central Park on Thursday, May 8.