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Tim Lessick

Statement from AJWS President Ruth Messinger on the Confirmation of Gayle Smith as the Next Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

NEW YORK—Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the world’s leading Jewish organization dedicated to ending poverty and promoting human rights in the developing world, released a statement today applauding the confirmation of Gayle Smith, who most recently served as Senior Director of the National Security Council, as the next Administrator of the …

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Taking Up The Torch At AJWS

American Jewish World Service, the 30-year-old nonprofit organization that supports human rights and anti-poverty activism in the developing world and educates the American Jewish community about global justice, recently announced that in July, Robert Bank, executive vice president, will succeed Ruth Messinger as president. Messinger has headed AJWS since 1998.

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The Jewish Future

As the head of a Jewish organization with American roots and global reach, I find that Commentary’s big question begets familiar and more specific questions: Will Jews be viable in 2065? Will our community be more observant and more politically conservative? Will its signature institutions—federations, denominations, and congregations—still exist? Will today’s liberal majority drift away …

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Faith-based organisations and health care: invest, don’t proselytise

I am inspired to see The Lancet, one of the world’s most esteemed research journals, focus its attention on the role of faith-based organisations in delivering health care to vulnerable individuals and communities that mainstream health-care professionals find it difficult to penetrate. We, at the American Jewish World Service are deeply involved in this work, …

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Ruth Messinger: Global Ambassador

You won’t find any photos of prominent politicians or major donors at Ruth Messinger’s office at the American Jewish World Service, which describes itself as “the first and only Jewish organization dedicated solely to ending poverty and promoting human rights in the developing world.” Rather, the AJWS president displays pictures from meetings with the poorest …

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Ruth Messinger, Jewish Madonna of Human Rights

Ruth Messinger and I were sitting in synagogue talking, as is our custom (much to the dismay of the rabbi, my husband). She and I get a lot done in between praying on Shabbat mornings, and it isn’t all gossip. This was during the height of the crisis in Darfur. Ruth had brought American Jewish …

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AJWS Announces Robert Bank to Succeed Ruth Messinger as President on July 1, 2016

After a remarkable 17-year presidency, Messinger to serve as AJWS Global Ambassador NEW YORK—American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international human rights and development organization, announced today a leadership transition that ensures continuity of its strategy and mission while entrusting the stewardship of AJWS to a new generation. Following an 18-month proactive planning …

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Sukkot in Nepal

Right now in Nepal, a group of Tibetan Buddhist nuns is trapped in the city of Katmandu, living in sukkot. Not the beautifully decorated, religiously infused sukkot — or “dwellings” — erected as part of the Jewish High Holy Days. Not the kind in which delicious meals are served, songs are sung, and ushpizin — …

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Stunning Instagram Photos Show How Jews Are Helping To ‘Repair The World’

Many Jews consider tikkun olam, or “repairing the world” to be a spiritual imperative — a call to reach across religious boundaries and seek out justice for all people. American Jewish World Service, an organization that promotes human rights in the developing world, participates in the mission by supporting hundreds of like-minded local charities working to overcome oppression, …

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American Jewish World Service Proud to Stand with Pope Francis in Struggle against Poverty and Oppression Worldwide

Leading Jewish international human rights organization lauds Pope Francis’ commitment to human dignity and call for global justice New York, NY – As Pope Francis visits the United States this week, Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) issued the following statement: Statement of Ruth Messinger, President of AJWS “As Jews who are committed to pursuing justice for the …

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