Ma Hamatzav? (Was' Up?)

Honor the Image of God: Stop Torture Now

March 24, 2008 at 8:58 pm Leave a comment

Rabbis for Human Rights North America and K’vod Habriot have joined with the National Religious Campaign Agains Torture (NRCAT) to bring the anti-torture message to congregations across the country. Get your synagogue to order a Stop Torture banner to hang in your community!

What are the goals of K’vod Habriot?

1. Build the first-ever, national network to mobilize Jewish commitment to human rights.
2. Strengthen Honor the Image of God: Stop Torture Now, A Jewish Campaign to End U.S.-Sponsored Torture.
3. Mobilize the Jewish community to address other human rights issues.

K’vod Habriot Statement of Principles:

• “Every human being is created in the image of God” Bidmut Elohim asah oto: It is incumbent on each of us to act in a way that affirms the fundamental dignity of every human being. Respect for each human being is the foundation of Jewish ethics.
• “[We must] do what is just and right.” La’asot Tzedek U’Mishpat: For a nation to have legitimacy, it must enforce a system of law that is fair, equitable, and just.
• “Do not oppress the stranger, orphan or widow.” Ger, Yatom, V’Almananah Al Tonu: We have a duty to promote a society that cares for the economic well-being of all of its members, especially those who are most vulnerable.
• We believe that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights flows from these Jewish values, as well as from our own historical experience, especially that of the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust. Therefore, it is incumbent on us, as Jews, to defend the human rights of all who are oppressed.

Entry filed under: Politics, Social Justice. Tags: human rights, Social Justice, torture.