My daughter was born in Mumbai, India, between the Hindu and Jewish celebrations of lights—Diwali and Chanukah. We have sweet memories of lighting Chanukah candles in the hotel dining room in India, celebrating the transformation that her birth brought into our lives. Both holidays are likely related to the ancient celebration, Saturnalia, a holiday of …
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Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, so I’ve been thinking about the lives of women and girls around the world. Zeenat, a 17 year old girl from the impoverished community of Hyderabad, India, has already been married and divorced three times. All three of her marriages took place against her will, …
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For more than two years, American Jewish World Service has been working to improve the way the United States delivers life-saving food assistance to millions of hungry people worldwide. Thanks in part to the efforts of committed AJWS activists, AJWS and other allies were able to push forward incremental improvements to food aid programs in …
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Leading Jewish Human Rights Organization Applauds Introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act in the House of Representatives WASHINGTON, DC — American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international human rights and development organization, released the following statement today after the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced in the House of …
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Three Filipino grassroots organizations to receive disaster aid NEW YORK, NY —American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international human rights and development organization, announced today that it selected three Filipino grassroots organizations to receive the first round of disaster relief grants in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). AJWS has raised almost $500,000 …
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NEW YORK, NY—American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, announced today that Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, founder and president of AJWS grantee and long-term partner Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), was awarded the 2013 Opus Prize, which includes $1 million to support her organization’s work. AIL was founded in …
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NEW YORK, NY—American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, was recently awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant from the Arcus Foundation to support AJWS’s work promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in Africa, Asia and Central America. The Arcus Foundation is a longtime supporter …
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This week, AJWS Los Angeles is thrilled to venture to Mexico with our inaugural group of Global Justice Fellows. Ranging from ages 22 to 68, this group includes rabbis, entertainment professionals, Jewish communal professionals, lay leaders, philanthropic leaders and nonprofit executives. Hailing from broad geographies and diverse communities, these fellows truly represent the vitality and …
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Trip is part of new year-long Global Justice Fellowship launched in the Bay Area by American Jewish World Service SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Today, American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading international Jewish human rights and development organization focused on ending poverty and realizing human rights in the developing world, announced that 15 Bay Area …
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Joins with Other Funders in Signing Philanthropy’s Promise Pledge NEW YORK, NY—American Jewish World Service (AJWS) announced today that it signed the Philanthropy’s Promise pledge, which asks foundations and grantmakers to prioritize the needs of and empower low-income people, communities of color and other underserved populations. AJWS is delighted to sign the pledge as it …
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