When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, there were many different groups living on its land: Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Mexicans descended from enslaved Africans, Spanish descendants, and Spaniards. To form a cohesive nation, they all became unified as Mexicans. But not all Mexicans have been treated equally. Under Spanish colonial rule, native peoples were expected …
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In the coming days, representatives from more than 190 countries will descend on Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, for the Conference of the Parties, the annual climate summit known as COP.
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AJWS praises House impeachment managers for making a clear case and lauds 57 U.S. Senators of both parties who voted to hold Trump accountable. In response to the U.S. Senate’s vote on the article of impeachment against former president Donald Trump, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service, released the following statement. …
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American Jewish World Service (AJWS) calls on incoming Biden administration to rescind disastrous policy Today, in response to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) releasing its 2020 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy, Rori Kramer, Director of U.S. Advocacy at American Jewish World Service, released the following statement: “USAID’s new gender policy is one …
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On a recent trip to Uganda with American Jewish World Service — the organization I am privileged to lead — I was honored to meet Paul, an openly gay man who is working to stop bigotry, violence, and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBT community. I’ve changed his name here to protect his identity. The evening after …
Read MoreOn December 16, 2012, 23-year old Jyoti Singh was raped by six men while riding on a bus in New Delhi, India. The attack reportedly lasted over two and a half hours, and Singh died two weeks later in Singapore from her injuries. Four of her attackers were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
Read MoreA shocking and inspiring episode in Parashat Pinchas occurs when the five daughters of Zelophechad stand up to Moses, Aaron and Elazar and demand to inherit their father’s property, in the absence of any sons. This courageous act, which challenges the assumption that tribal land can be passed on only from fathers to sons, seems to leave Moses speechless and moved, and he takes their claim to God.
Read MoreAs the Israelites wind down their adventures in the desert and prepare to enter the Promised Land as a free generation, they must again confront their faith in God’s ability to protect and provide for them. At the heart of Parashat Chukkat is the puzzling episode of Moses and the rock that yields water. Through Moses and the costly mistake that he makes, this parashah teaches us the proper way to express trust in God. The challenges that Moses and the Israelites face in finding the right way to engage in and express their belief in God challenge us to think about the ways we demonstrate commitment to our values in the public sphere.
Read MoreYou likely know that our ancestors wandered the wilderness for 40 years until they entered the Promised Land. You may find it surprising, though, that the ancient Israelites actually arrived at the border of the Land of Israel only two years after the Exodus. The other 38 years of wandering weren’t a long journey to the land; they were the consequence of ill-fated events that took place during Parashat Shlach.
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