The AJWS community has a lot to say about what's happening in the world. Read our insights about the struggle for justice and human rights around the globe — and meet the activists on the frontlines of the fight to build a better world.
For decades, Aon Changnam has dreamt of the open waters of his childhood. Aon was born into a community of Urak Laroi people, traditionally nomadic people that have populated Thai and Malaysian islands for countless generations. He grew up swimming and exploring, enjoying freshly seafood, and hiking through the dense forests of Koh Lanta, his …
Isabel Chen Ical and her husband, Agustín Chocooj, live with their two children and members of their extended family on a lush, fertile plot of land in Cerro Alto village, in rural Guatemala. They are members of the Q’eqchi Indigenous community — one of Guatemala’s 24 distinct ethnic groups. There’s one family member she speaks …
We hope your High Holidays were meaningful, sweet and reflective. In the spirit of this thoughtful season, we invite you to think back to your childhood for a moment. Were you lucky enough to have a mentor — someone older than you who helped shape who you became? What important lessons did you learn — …
Amidst so many devastating headlines around the world, I’m writing from Nairobi about an important win for environmental justice and human rights — with a renewed faith in the power of the people. After a legal struggle that has lasted nine years, a high court in Kenya just ruled against Amu Power — a corporation …
At 12, Anzoa Sarah was struggling with her body image and self-esteem. Today, at 24, she’s a powerful women’s rights lawyer in Kampala, Uganda’s capitol city. What changed? As an adolescent, she was introduced to the Mentoring and Empowerment Programme for Young Women (MEMPROW), a feminist organization working to empower women and girls across Uganda …
Today marks World Food Day, when people across the globe celebrate the foods that are meaningful to us and renew our commitment to protecting the planet. Jewish culture is full of meaningful foods. Many of us enjoyed apples and honey to usher in a sweet New Year, look forward to latkes on Chanukah, the oil …
