Almost immediately after Heidi Feldman, a professor at Georgetown Law, learned that Donald Trump had been elected president, she decided to make a range of donations to organizations that supported civil liberties. “In addition to supporting more general organizations,” she said, “I thought it was important, with the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-black rhetoric, to …
Read More
Asheville rallied to support Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, investing in ongoing relief and development projects headed by local organizations. Last month, however, Hurricane Matthew became the first Category 4 storm since 1964 to make landfall on the island. Nearly seven years after the quake, it’s no secret that the multibillion-dollar aid response did little …
Read More
On November 15, 2016, the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) honored Ruth Messinger at Pier Sixty for her dedication to social justice as a leading and progressive elected NYC official, president of AJWS, and the Global Ambassador for AJWS. Guests were welcomed to a cocktail reception followed by an elegant dinner as well as a …
Read More
Statement of Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), regarding the appointment of Stephen Bannon as Chief White House Strategist by President-elect Donald J. Trump: NEW YORK, NY – “As a community committed to working across borders and cultures to uphold the dignity and rights of the most persecuted and oppressed …
Read More
Please find below a post-election message from Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), that was shared with supporters today: Dear Supporters of AJWS, I am writing to you at this defining moment in history, as you are a friend who is fully committed to the dignity and rights of every …
Read More
“Haitians are eager to do things differently this time: to control their own recovery, to empower each other, and to rebuild better and stronger.” Recently, the New York Times recognized the American Jewish World Service(AJWS) for its leadership in Haiti and published a letter to the editor from our in-country consultant in Haiti pleading that …
Read More
Inaugural Ruth W. Messinger Award to be Presented to Channsitha Mark, Coordinator of the Workers’ Information Center in Cambodia WHO: Ruth W. Messinger, Former President and Current Global Ambassador of American Jewish World Service Channsitha Mark, Coordinator, Workers’ Information Center, Cambodia WHAT: Messinger of Hope: A Gala Honoring Ruth W. Messinger for her 18 years …
Read More
Leading Jewish human rights organization praises report’s focus on protecting the Karen community’s right to determine how their land should be used NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS) lauds Human Rights Watch’s latest report, “The Farmer Becomes Criminal,” which focuses on the endemic land confiscation in Burma’s Karen State and the impact …
Read More
The U.S. Agency for International Development announced Wednesday that its contractors cannot discriminate based on race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. The policy does not apply to employees of foreign aid contractors and grant recipients. Rights groups cautiously welcomed the announcement. “We applaud the Obama administration for taking a bold and principled …
Read More
Advocacy groups have applauded the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Administrator Gayle Smith for ensuring that LGBT people will have equal access to services and aid delivered by contractors and sub-contractors of USAID that work internationally. This policy, announced Wednesday in a speech by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice at American …
Read More