cc: flickr By RonAlmog

Wishing you a Shana Tova from RHR

The covenant that Moshe made with the People of Israel also relates to the obligation of future generations to God. Conduct a dialogue with future generations? What is the heritage we are bequeathing to our children?  Rabbis for Human Rights concern themselves with bringing light to dark places in society (damage to a monastery, uprooting trees in Borin, bureaucracy at the Bituach Leumi, etc.) in order to prevent repeated damage to human rights. We believe that it is possible to establish a social morality, without harming the other, in the hope of a sweeter new year.

Shabbat Shalom.

The question of the social injustice is examined by Rabbi Barry Leff in theologically, politically and technological ways. Many crimes are prevented when the hidden is revealed. Dvar Torah to parashat “Nitzavim”.

Next Week

• Friday, 14.9.2012, Solidarity with the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrach in east Jerusalem

• Sunday, 16.9.2012, 15:00 – Demonstration for the rights of the Negev Arabs, Lehavim Junction

• In the People’s Court, those affected by public housing will sue the government and the mortgage societies for their neglect and the drying-up of public housing

• The season of the olive harvest will start soon. At this time, Palestinian farmers from West bank villages receive threats and are even prevented from getting to their land.  Frequently, olives are stolen from the trees (we have all already seen photos of trees that were poisoned and uprooted (Rabbi Yehiel Grineberg calls on you to come and volunteer at the 2012 olive harvest)

• Registration for students has opened for the Everett programme - We operate a Centre for Human Rights in Hadera as part of our work as “Rabbis for Human Rights.”  This centre helps vulnerable members of the community (among them Moshe Silman whom we helped in his fight with the establishment).  This year we are able to take on a student who, in return for volunteering 8 hours a week with us and attending four Friday meetings, will receive from Shatil a year’s grant of 9,000 NIS.  The programme will begin on 21.10.12 and end on 14.6.13

Last Week

Following the “Tag-Mehir” incident and the attempted arson of the Latrun Monastery, there was an event of peace and unity on Wednesday (5.9).  Rabbis for Human Rights and members of the Tag Meir Forum prayed together for peace.

This week we said goodbye to Moriel Rothman, who finished his wonderful work with us as a Shatil Fellow. Fortunately, we will continue to work with him in the setting of his new job at “Solidarity with Sheikh Jarrach“. 

Social Justice

The reform of Bituach Leumi that was proudly declared by the Minister of Social Welfare does not address the real problems of those who need the services of Bituach Leumi.  What will address them?  Rabbi Idit Lev suggests that perhaps it is worth asking the people themselves.

Rights in the occupied territories

On the 5^th September 2012,in  the Palestinian village of Borin, north of Yizhar, the local farmers discovered that 18 mature olive trees had been uprooted. Who will compensate the Palestinian farmers? And when will the security forces operate for the good of the farmers and protect their rights?

Education Department

Register today for the programme “Kolot Yehudiim” – Beit Midrash for Human Rights.

The Media

Rabbi Idit Lev first published her article on the Bituach Leumi in “Avoda Shchora.”  Rabbi Gideon Sylvester published an article in “Ha’Aretz” which discussed the question of racial separation.

We recently succeeded, with the cooperation of Member of Knesset Zehava Galon, in passing on a request to the Minister of Defence to conduct research into the role that  the occupying regime in the West Bank plays in  increasing the security risks for Israeli citizens (in addition to its injustice to Palestinians). The request was published in Akiva Eldar’s column in “Ha’Aretz,” and was the chief item on the “Ha’Aretz” website for several hours.  The article also dealt with overcoming the phenomenon of  “Tag Mehir”.

From the article: “If there is security – who needs peace?  The chairperson of Meretz, Zehava Galon, does not agree.  In a letter she sent last week to the Minister of Defence, Ehud Barak, Galon asked him to examine if he had data about the influence of the occupying regime on the motivation of terrorists and on religious fanaticism in the West Bank.  Galon attached to the letter the analysis of Yariv Moher from Rabbis for Human Rights, based on  research carried out several years’ ago by Professor of Psychology, Shaul Kimchi, and retired senior intelligence officer, Dr Shmuel Evan.  The findings of the research, carried out on behalf of the National Security Research Institute, show that suicide bombing is caused by several factors.  Analysis of the father-type of suicide bomber who failed in his mission, reveals – among other things – the desire for revenge for the death or serious injury of a family member or someone else close, personal humiliation or witnessing the humiliation of a family member, or another difficult occurrence – physical or psychological – connected to the struggle.”

Announcements from other organizations (we are not responsible for the content):

• Jpost: “Six teenagers arrested over J’lem beating of Arab”

• Breaking the Silence tour to Hebron

• Watch: “South Hebron Hills – Projection” Trailer

Shabbat Shalom

–

If you found this story important/shocking/touching, and you want to help us to change the situation, please donate here and strengthen the Jewish voices that see in every human being the image of God.