When Jews enter a new year each Rosh Hashanah, we feel a sense of renewal—a fresh start. The struggles of the prior year don’t vanish; it’s our energy and attitude towards them that changes. We get the chance to take stock and recommit ourselves to whatever lies ahead. That’s why the story of Bufete para …

Last month, we brought you inside a gathering of nearly 1,000 women in Nairobi, feminists, activists, and providers devoting themselves to building societies that don’t control women’s lives. This month, we’ll focus on just one. Sixteen-year-old Nita Bhil lives in a small village in Kutch, a region in the farthest west reaches of India. Her …

When we decide what to include in Stories of Hope each month, we look for stories about activists and the work AJWS supports around the world that give all of us—our donors, staff, and grantees alike—a boost of optimism. As you know, fighting for human rights in 2026 is not an easy battle to wage. …

In 2024, schoolteacher Joyseph Sseruwagi fled their hometown in Uganda and crossed into Kenya, fearing they’d be arrested and sentenced to decades in prison. Joyseph’s crime? Their sexual orientation, which is severely criminalized under Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act. Joyseph now lives in Kenya, where they lead an organization supported by AJWS partner Jinsiangu, helping other LGBTQI+ …

“Endless war.” The phrase has been kicking around in our collective consciousness for decades, evoking helplessness and hopelessness. Painting a world where peace isn’t even a distant dream — it’s an impossibility. We know it’s easy to succumb to this hopelessness, especially in this moment when countries readily wage war without examining the possibility of …