Press Releases

Venus Devnani Named Executive Vice President of American Jewish World Service

To drive meaningful social impact, organizations must be at the vanguard of justice and change, developing people-forward programs and practices that center marginalized communities in every aspect of mission delivery. Venus Devnani Named Executive Vice President of American Jewish World Service Today, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading …

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A Year After the January 6 Insurrection at the Capitol, the U.S. Must Shrug Off the Notion of American Exceptionalism and Deepen its Efforts to Safeguard Democracy at Home and Abroad

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, is calling on the U.S. and international leaders to take bold action to protect democratic rights and the rule of law to combat the growing threat of authoritarianism around the world. AS THE NATION MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION AT …

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To Ensure That The Summit For Democracy Succeeds, We Must Listen To The Voices Of Those Around The World Who Are Fighting For Their Democratic Rights

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, calls on the U.S. and the international community to pursue a true partnership with civil society in setting robust commitments at this week’s summit and throughout the year of action to follow. In advance of the Summit for Democracy, Robert Bank, President and CEO …

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Resignation of Special Envoy to Haiti Must Serve as a Wake-Up Call to Biden Administration: Leading Global Human Rights Organization Calls on Administration to Reverse Course, Halt Deportations, and Listen to Haitian Civil Society

In response to the sudden resignation of the United States’ special envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Daniel Foote, and the devastating treatment of Haitian migrants at the US Southern border, Tracey Gurd, senior director of civil and political rights and advocacy at American Jewish World Service (AJWS), issued the below statement: “Ambassador Foote’s resignation as the …

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Haiti Is at a Crossroads: The United States and International Community Must Ensure Haitians Can Determine Their Own Future

In response to the robust and fast-breaking debates over the future of Haiti since last week’s assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), which has worked with human rights activists in Haiti since 1999, issued this policy statement in support of Haitian democracy and civil …

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Leading Jewish Human Rights Group Applauds House Appropriations Committee for Advancing Legislation That Promotes Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

American Jewish World Service Welcomes Increased Funding, the Repeal of the Global Gag Rule, and the Removal of Helms Amendment Background Today, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations passed a bill that advances sexual and reproductive health and rights around the globe. The iscal ear 2022 (FY22) State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill …

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House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Holds Historic LGBTQI+ Rights Hearing

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) welcomes testimony from LGBTQI+ human rights defenders Background Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) will make history, holding its first-ever full committee hearing focused on LGBTQI+ rights titled “Advancing and Protecting LGBTQI+ Rights Abroad.” The hearing will provide an opportunity to elevate concerns around stigma, violence, and discrimination against …

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American Jewish World Service Voluntarily Recognizes The AJWS Union

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, and the recently formed AJWS Union are pleased to jointly announce that AJWS management has formally and voluntarily recognized the AJWS Union, affiliated with OPEIU Local 153, to represent AJWS employees, effective June 23, 2021. Hannah Fajer, a spokesperson from the AJWS Union, …

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