We are writing with some important news about the future of Rabbis for Human Rights (in Israel) and Rabbis for Human Rights-North America.
As of today (January 15, 2013), RHR and RHR-NA will end our fiscal relationship and formal affiliation. In recent years, both organizations have grown exponentially, and have engaged more than 1800 rabbis as well as tens of thousands of supporters in bringing Jewish values to bear on today’s human rights dilemmas. We believe that this transition to two separate organizations will help both groups to flourish, and to have an even more significant impact on human rights in Israel and North America.
RHR-NA was established with two purposes: To raise money and support for RHR’s work, and to mobilize U.S. and Canadian rabbis and community members around human rights issues in Israel and in North America. Over the past decade, RHR-NA has galvanized our network of 1800 rabbis to be moral leaders on issues ranging from ending state-sponsored torture to ending slavery in the agricultural fields to protecting the human rights of Israelis and Palestinians to raising millions of dollars to support the sacred work of RHR. In Israel, RHR has continued to be one of the most respected human rights organizations, a leader on advocating for protections for Palestinians, Bedouin-Israelis, low-income Israeli citizens, and other vulnerable populations, and a moral compass for supporters around the globe.
In some cases, the agendas of the two organizations have overlapped, such as with our Israel advocacy work. For example, in the last year, we partnered to successfully halt the eviction of a Palestinian family from East Jerusalem, and to oppose the demolition of Bedouin villages in the Negev. In other cases, each group has maintained different priorities and strategies. We also realize that the financial relationship between RHR-NA and RHR has sometimes been confusing for donors, who deserve clarity about how your donations are being used.
Rabbis for Human Rights-North America will now be known as T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. This name references the shofar (ram’s horn), which according to the Torah, heralds liberation. T’ruah will build on the successes of RHR-NA in mobilizing a cross-denominational movement of rabbis, cantors and community members to protect human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied territories. RHR, which will retain its original name, will continue to call on its supporters in North America and around the world to educate and advocate for an Israel embodying our highest Jewish values. RHR and T’ruah hope to remain close allies in pursuing our joint advocacy goals. Our two groups share many core values and perspectives, and will continue to bring the collective power and resources of North American and Israeli rabbis and Jewish communities to promoting human rights in Israel.
We are reaching to you personally, as you have been a strong supporter of our organizations. We hope that you will continue supporting both organizations as we each expand our reach and influence, and build a worldwide rabbinic and Jewish movement for human rights.
As of January 15, 2013, tax deductible donations for RHR (Israel) in the U.S. can be made via American Support for Israel or New Israel Fund (see below for details on how to give). Checks for T’ruah can be mailed as usual (address below), and on-line donations may be made at our new website: www.truah.org. Any donations that you have made prior to January 15 will be allocated in accordance with prior commitments, and will support the work of both groups.
In Canada, T’ruah-Canada will continue to be the fiscal sponsor of RHR until further notice. Canadian donations support RHR’s legal work.