Press Releases

AJWS Asked for Public Comment on Lantos Human Rights Commission

This year, the United States has assumed the rotating Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20), a summit championing economic cooperation among the world’s largest economies. On March 5, the House of Representative’s Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hosted a hearing to explore ways the Trump administration can “elevate human rights issues” during the G20 …

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AJWS Condemns Expansion of Global Gag Rule

The Trump administration’s radical expansion of restrictions on lifesaving foreign assistance will have devastating impacts around the world. Though the expansion was expected, its breadth fundamentally alters U.S. interaction with the rest of the world far beyond reproductive health. With this expansion, the U.S. continues its retreat from the family of nations and leaves marginalized …

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AJWS decries global harm of U.S. retreat from international cooperation

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) denounces the reckless and abrupt withdrawal of the United States from dozens of international organizations that advance global stability, sustainability, democracy and economic growth and have long served as safeguards against abuse of the most vulnerable people on the planet. Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, AJWS supports grassroots …

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Payal Patel named Director of Land, Water and Climate Justice at American Jewish World Service

New York, NY — American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, has announced Payal Patel as its new Director of Land, Water and Climate Justice (LWCJ). In her new role, Patel will lead a $5 million grantmaking portfolio supporting grassroots movements defending land, water, forest, and livelihood rights. She also will oversee the development …

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Ruddy Miller Named Vice President for Finance and Information Technology

New York, NY — Today, American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, announced Ruddy Miller as the new Vice President for Finance and Information Technology. In this role, Miller will lead the division charged with providing the highest standard of financial management to the full spectrum of AJWS stakeholders and safeguarding the organization’s global technology infrastructure.   “Ruddy has been …

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AJWS Statement: Congress Must Reject Trump’s Latest Attack on Foreign Assistance

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) strongly urges members of the U.S. Congress to reject the Trump Administration’s second rescission package, which includes $4.9 billion in foreign assistance cuts across multiple fiscal years. This is another brazen attempt to weaken the role, power and oversight of Congress. And it further diminishes the United States’ reputation on …

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American Jewish World Service Condemns Drastic Changes to the Human Rights Reports and Calls on Congress to Safeguard Global Human Rights 

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) strongly condemns the U.S. State Department for drastically limiting their reporting on human rights abuses documented in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and calls on Congress to act to safeguard global human rights. Expected reductions in the content of these reports narrowly define who is entitled to …

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AJWS Condemns Trump Administration Travel Ban 

Senseless executive order will destabilize countries in conflict, says leading Jewish human rights organization  NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS) strongly condemns President Trump’s Executive Order banning travel from 12 countries, including several in which AJWS supports grassroots human rights organizations. This senseless and inhumane action fails at its ostensible objective of …

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Jill Minneman Elected Board Chair at American Jewish World Service 

NEW YORK — American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, has elected Jill Minneman to lead its Board of Trustees. A long-time trustee and advocate for social change, Ms. Minneman steps into this leadership role at a critical moment for human rights advocates worldwide. “Jill becomes our Board Chair at an …

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