As we enter the season of light, many members of the AJWS community cannot escape feeling mired in darkness. But — taking inspiration from the name of this newsletter — we move forward in hope that our vision of human rights for the most oppressed will prevail. In that spirit, it’s a pleasure to be able to share some good news.
Throughout 2025, we’ve been celebrating our four decades together, supporting human rights activism around the world. Our 40th anniversary year is vastly different than 1985 and so are we. Inspired by the Jewish value to improve our broken world, evolution must be part of AJWS’s DNA. But our mission to fight for the rights of marginalized people, fund progressive activism, and propel human rights progress has remained unwavering.
With that in mind, we asked Robert Bank, our outgoing President and CEO, some donors, Board members, and AJWS partners in Haiti, India and Kenya to reflect on this ongoing work. Their stories are powerful examples of AJWS’s impact around the world. But as you know, it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we’ve accomplished over the last 40 years.
So, at a time when hope feels so important, please enjoy this inspiring look at what we’ve built together.
Watch: Celebrating Changemakers >>
More Stories of Hope
- Kenyan law criminalizes queerness — but things are shifting. Learn how one judge’s ruling to protect a trans woman is sparking hope amongst AJWS partners and their communities for a more accepting and just Kenya.
- For Indigenous Guatemalans, the fight for justice cannot be separated from spirituality. Meet the Indigenous Law Firm, a group of AJWS-supported lawyers defending oppressed communities against a discriminatory legal system while healing clients’ emotional trauma.
- How can we stay hopeful — and keep fighting for human rights — after billions have been cut from life-saving U.S. foreign assistance? Here in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Shari Turitz, AJWS’s Vice President for Programs, offers one answer: move from caution to courage.
Robert Bank, AJWS’s outgoing President and CEO, with Seynabou Male Cissé, organizer of a movement of more than 40,000 women fighting to end the civil war in Casamance, Senegal. For the last four decades, AJWS has built a solid foundation by listening to grantees, like Seynabou, and supporting their fights for justice and a more equitable world.
Speak up with the AJWS Action Network
Right now, the people of Haiti are experiencing multiple crises at once — millions face hunger and are rebuilding their homes after Hurricane Melissa; relief from USAID has vanished; corruption is pervasive; and more than 1.4 million people have fled their homes due to gang violence. Amid these almost unimaginable challenges, there is something you can do to help: Push Congress to pass the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, which combats corruption, gang violence and drug trafficking. What’s more — this bill has bipartisan support. Almost 1,500 AJWS supporters have already written to their senators to demand action. Join them! Tell your senators to take action here.
After 40 years, AJWS isn’t going anywhere. We’ll see you next year and continue fighting for human rights.
In solidarity,
Your friends at AJWS