In the Dominican Republic, “las pájaras” is a pejorative slang for women attracted to other women. In the heart of Santo Domingo however, the queer young women of Junte Pajaril are reclaiming it. “When someone asks me, ‘what are you?’ I don’t say ‘lesbian’ or ‘bisexual.’ I say ‘I’m a pájara,’” says Ferdelis Fabián, one …
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The first time someone from Comunidad de Liderazgos y Espacios Inclusivos Dominicana (COLESDOM) knocked on her door, Grabiela was suspicious. The representative explained that COLESDOM was a nonprofit organization that supports LGBTQI+ people and that they were there to help. But she’d heard those promises before — promises that no one had kept. Grabiela lives …
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Senseless executive order will destabilize countries in conflict, says leading Jewish human rights organization NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS) strongly condemns President Trump’s Executive Order banning travel from 12 countries, including several in which AJWS supports grassroots human rights organizations. This senseless and inhumane action fails at its ostensible objective of …
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NEW YORK — American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, has elected Jill Minneman to lead its Board of Trustees. A long-time trustee and advocate for social change, Ms. Minneman steps into this leadership role at a critical moment for human rights advocates worldwide. “Jill becomes our Board Chair at an …
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President and CEO of American Jewish World Service to Step Down at the End of 2025 After 16 years, Robert Bank will leave the human rights organization equipped to meet the challenges of the moment, supporting grassroots activists committed to making change in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean NEW YORK – Robert Bank, President …
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The fellows include seven rabbis and one cantor who will travel to the Dominican Republic to meet grassroots activists and later to Washington, D.C. to advocate for U.S. foreign policies that champion human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish organization committed to promoting global human …
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American Jewish World Service (AJWS) strongly opposes the Dominican Republic’s recent wave of inhumane mass deportations to Haiti. Even before Dominican President Luis Abinader announced on October 2 plans to expel up to 10,000 people per week, his administration was carrying out deportations in ways that violated the country’s own protocols and laws. There …
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The impact of the U.S. presidential elections in November will surely extend beyond our borders and influence civil and political rights around the globe. The example the U.S. sets holds importance across the globe on a macro level; our actions speak volumes. And when the U.S. disregards the principles of rule of law and democracy, …
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