Nominations are open for the 2026 Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award!
Each year at the T’ruah gala, we uplift courageous rabbis/cantors who are using their moral voices to advance the fight for dignity, justice, and human rights for all people with the Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award. Honorees will be selected by a Gala Honoree Committee of esteemed T’ruah board members and former Rabbinic Human Rights Heroes.
Is your rabbi/cantor a rabbinic human rights hero? Submit your nomination below.
Deadline to submit is Thursday, December 4 at 11:59 PM ET
What does it mean to be a Human Rights Hero?
Nominees are those Jewish leaders working tirelessly to progress human rights issues in North America and/or Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. They have used their rabbinic moral voice to take up the fight for dignity, equity, and human rights for all people.
Who is eligible to be nominated as a Human Rights Hero?
• Rabbis and cantors who work within a Jewish community setting, such as a synagogue, school, camp, JCC or other related organization
• They must live and work in the United States and Canada.
• They may be retired and may be an emeritus rabbi or cantor.
• Rabbis/cantors who work full-time for social justice or human rights organizations are not eligible.
• T’ruah board members and T’ruah staff members are not eligible.
• Selected rabbis/cantors must be available to attend the gala in person, as a guest of T’ruah, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Who is eligible to nominate a rabbi/cantor?
• Members of the nominee’s community, such as a synagogue member, a student, a parent of a student or camper, a JCC or Hillel members, or someone who participates regularly in activities organized by the nominee’s community.
• Rabbis/Cantors may nominate other colleagues.
• Self-nominations will not be considered.
How can I make the best case for my rabbi/cantor to be considered?
The strongest nominations contain specific examples that paint a picture of when and how your rabbi/cantor took personal or professional risk to stand up for human rights. Here is a sample nomination from 2025.
Deadline to submit is Thursday, December 4 at 11:59 PM ET
Not sure what we’re looking for? Check out previous honorees here.