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The Rabbis for Human Rights Yeshiva A program combining weekly study and volunteer fieldwork for Israeli University students promoting Jewish values in defense of human rights introduction"..The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they who do his commandments.."Psalms 111:10  While
hope abounds that a political solution may soon bring peace to this land, the
situation in Israel continues to pose major challenges. The maintenance of human
rights and the task of creating a just society are made all the more difficult
by the widespread contempt for the Divine Image in humankind. Since September
2000, Rabbis for Human Rights’ work with the Palestinian population has
had to increase. At the same time, it has become more difficult and dangerous
to do that work. In the Israeli sector, RHR’s involvement on issues of social
justice has become crucial because of the nation’s economic stress, the
ongoing security crisis, the increased importation of foreign labor, and drastic
budget cuts affecting all levels of society, particularly the most vulnerable.
Attitudes have been altered by the violence, and disrespect for human life threatens
to hold sway. In these difficult times, RHR continues many of its activities both
within the Green-line and over it, among Jews and non-Jews, citizens, residents,
and foreign workers.
As an outgrowth of this work, RHR launched a new project in the autumn of 2002, a yeshiva program for the study of Jewish values in defense of human rights. The program responds actively and Jewishly to the situation in Israel today.
Through Talmud-Torah and Ma'asim Tovim, RHR’s Yeshiva program encourages respect for human rights and social justice; furthers knowledge of the Jewish tradition and the pluralistic approach to its study and application; and creates a group of young Israelis dedicated to Jewish values in defense of human rights. |
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Students
study weekly in a beit midrash setting with rabbis from RHR, guest lecturers,
and people who report from their work in the field. Traditional and modern texts
are brought to bear on questions of human rights and pressing social issues
confronting Israel today. In addition to study, each student volunteers three
hours each week, doing fieldwork on one of the issues addressed in the study
component.