NEW YORK – On the occasion of former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, T’ruah, a rabbinic human rights organization representing over 2,300 rabbis and cantors nationwide, celebrated his lifelong commitment to human rights and wished him well.
In a statement, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah, also recalled time spent with the former President at the Carter Center:
“Former President Jimmy Carter has exemplified a lifelong commitment to working for human rights, to resolving global conflicts, and to promoting democracy that went far beyond his presidency.
“Seven years ago, I was honored to share the stage with the former President at an event discussing the intersection of faith and human rights at the Carter Center. What I recall most from that time was the President’s clear passion and message that everyday people of faith have a central role to play in defending human rights.
“For both the President and me, our religious commitments remind us of our moral obligation to honor the divine in each person. For many years, Carter taught weekly Sunday school at his Baptist church. He ended those sessions the same way each time: by challenging attendees to do one nice thing for somebody over the next month.
“That kind of attitude is why so many have turned to him as a role model for both public service and for how faith can inspire us to transform our world for the better.
“As the history books look back at his life, his contributions to regional and global stability will loom large. During his presidency, Carter brokered the Camp David Accords, which led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, still a landmark achievement for stability in the region, and one that should serve as an example for regional and world leaders especially in this moment. In his post-presidency, the Carter Center engaged in conflict mediation and election observation missions around the world, working to make the world a safer, fairer place.
“We wish him a very happy birthday, and may he live to be 120.”
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About T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights mobilizes a network of more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism that, together with the Jewish community, act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.