WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, 18 organizations with decades of experience tackling injustice and inequities in Haiti joined in calling on the Biden Administration to address human rights concerns regarding the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). In an open letter to the U.S. Department of State, the group called on the U.S. as lead funder and …
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Haiti is in crisis. After more than ten years of rule by a corrupt, violent, U.S.-backed regime, the country’s government has essentially collapsed. Gangs—operating with the support of politicians and elites—control many regions of the country, terrorizing civilians with kidnappings and massacres of entire communities. This gang rule has led to shortages of food, water …
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On an important day for Haiti, past and present, Tracey Gurd, Senior Director of Civil and Political Rights and Advocacy of American Jewish World Service released the following statement: Today marks a key moment both for the past and the future of Haiti’s democracy. February 7 commemorates not only the end of the 30-year dictatorship …
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At 8:30 a.m. on August 14, 2021, a massive, 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern Haiti, its epicenter in the heart of a rural region home to many of the country’s poorest communities. Globally, it was the deadliest natural disaster of 2021, with nearly 2,500 people killed. In Haiti, the earthquake was the latest blow to …
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In Parashat Vayigash, Joseph has risen from slavery to become Pharaoh’s second in command. Newly appointed to his role, he is put in charge of designing and administering a system for responding to the famine he predicted through interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph’s solution is to store grain during the seven years of plenty in order to distribute it during the seven years of famine.
Read MoreIn Jewish mystical thought, there are said to be two polar expressions of God’s relationship to the world: chessed—loving-kindness, and gevurah—strength and boundaries.[1] When we emulate God’s quality of chessed, we forge open relationships and give of ourselves. In contrast, when we emulate gevurah, we set boundaries, turn away from the influence of others and …
Read MoreIt’s hard to read Parshat Terumah and not think of the economic catastrophe of recent years. That crisis, after all, was brought about largely due to unhealthy mortgage practices that allowed individuals without much capital to buy houses well beyond their means. And here, as the story begins, are the Israelites, acting like the most …
Read MoreParshat Vayishlach marks the conclusion of the bitter feud between Jacob and Esau. After much anxiety and one long night’s journey into transcendence during which Jacob wrestles with an angel representing his brother’s spirit,[1] the two estranged siblings meet, hug and go their separate ways. It’s far from a Hollywood ending: Penitent and fearful, Jacob …
Read MoreOn the surface, the international community’s response to the devastation wrought by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti appears to have been exceedingly successful. Americans donated over $1 billion to organizations that quickly funneled food, water and other basic necessities into the affected areas.[1] According to a survey by Charity Navigator, the majority of donors approved …
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