Human Rights Thought for the Week
Welcome to the René Cassin Parashot Project. We are proud to have brought together 54 leading Jewish thinkers, Rabbis and educators from across the UK to each write a ’human rights thought for the week’, creatively connecting each portion of the Torah to a distinct human rights theme.
Our ambition is that this page will be used as a tangible resource for Rabbis, Jewish educators, youth movements and schools, to engage and inspire the Jewish community at large on a range of human rights topics. Through greater education and discussion within the community, we seek to raise awareness of a number of issues which are explored in this pack – such as the extent of modern-day slavery, discrimination and the current global refugee crisis.
We would like to extend our thanks to all those who have made this project possible. This includes all those who have taken the time and care to write these wonderful words, those who have proofread, volunteered and those who have helped with the design. We sincerely hope that this resource can be used as widely as possible, so please feel free to share it online and in person. If any of the readings spark questions or a desire to get involved in our work please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@renecassin.org
By studying both our religious texts and our history, it is clear that there is a profound and powerful relationship between Judaism and human rights that must be continued. It is through education, cooperation and activism that British Jewry can work to protect human rights and truly commit to the ideals of Tikkun Olam (healing the world).
- “Am I my Brother’s Keeper?”, Bereshit, Rev. Alexander Goldberg
- ‘Diversity and Ethics: principles of a modern society’, Noach, Joe Boxer
- ‘The World’s First Refugee’, Lech-Lecha, Mia Hasenson-Gross
- ‘The Story of an Argument’, Vayeira, Joseph Grabiner
- ‘Rebecca and the Origin of Chesed’, Chayei Sarah, Dan Jacobs
- ‘The Inspiration for Human Rights and Morality’, Toledot, Rabbi Ari Faust
- ‘Cheat, Trick, Deceive’. Vayetze, Sam Rodin
- ‘Defending the Family’, Vayishlach, Rabbi Raphael Zarum
- ‘The Essence of the Jewish Soul’, Vayeshev, Rabbi Oli Joseph
- ‘Human Rights Advocates Walk in Joseph’s Footsteps’, Miketz, Gabriel Webber
- ‘The True Value of Freedom and Reconciliation’, Vayigash, Rabbi Alexandra Wright
- ‘What’s Jewish About Human Rights’, Vayechi, Anthony Silkoff
- ‘Giving Voice to the Voiceless’, Shemot, Abigail Morris
- ‘Choices’, Va’eira, Olivia Marks-Woldman
- ‘Breaking the Yoke of Slavery’, Bo, Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah
- ‘The Legacy of Freedom’, Beshalach, Esmond Rosen‘
- ‘International Law and Torah Law’, Yitro, Dr Shaiya Rothberg
- ‘Human Rights for All’, Mishpatim, Michael Goldin
- ‘A World Fit for God’s and Humanity’s Presence’, Terumah, Rabbi Mark Goldsmith
- ‘A Lesson in Community’, Tetzaveh, Emma Dorman
- ‘The Commitment of Human Rights’, Ki Tissa, Rabbi Danny Smith
- ‘Community Building’, Vayakhel, Leonie Lewis
- ‘The Notion of Collective Responsibility’, Pekudei, Sammy Lee
- ‘Rituals’, Vayikra, Keith Kahn-Harris
- ‘Leadership and Populism’, Tzav, Hannah Weisfeld
- ‘Positive and Negative Liberty’, Shemini, Rabbi David Mason
- ‘A Right to Healthcare’, Tazria, Rabbi Danny Rich
- ‘Breaking Up the Plague of Ethical Impunity Upon All Our Houses’, Metzora, David Brown
- ‘Agunot’, Goats and Divorce, Acharei Mot, Shelley Marsh
- ‘Religion, Modernity and Morality’, Kedoshim, Michael Wegier
- ‘Blaspheming and Human Rights’, Emor, Hannah Swirsky
- ‘Supporting Those Whose Hands Have Faltered’, Behar, Rebecca Singer
- ‘Legality and Morality’, Bechukotai, Sam Grant
- ‘Overwhelming Numbers and What to Do With Them’, Bemidbar, Dr Edie Friedman
- ‘Violence Against Women’, Naso, Rabbi Benji Stanley
- ‘With Crisis Comes Hunger’, Behaalotecha, Laura Marks
- ‘A Right to Life’, Sh’lach, Rabbi Lea Mühlstein
- ‘Looking Behind the Power of Words’, Korach, Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
- ‘Running Away From Snakes’, Chukat, Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen
- ‘Speak Up and Speak Out’, Balak, Gideon Leibowitz
- ‘Vigilant(E)’, Pinchas, Rabbi Richard Jacobi
- ‘Between Rights and Responsibilities’, Matot, Robin Moss
- ‘Cities of Refuge and Human Rights’, Masei, Rabbi Roni Tabick
- ‘Hearing Out High and Low Alike’, Devarim, Matt Plen
- ‘The Right to Rest’, Va’etchanan, Rabbi Deborah Kahn-Harris
- ‘A Paradox of Human Rights’, Eikev, Sam Alston
- ‘Seeing With Our Hearts’, Re’eh, Rabbi Janet Darley
- ‘Justice Doesn’t Come Cheap’, Shoftim, Micah Smith
- ‘Who are the Widow, Orphan and Stranger?’, Ki Teitzei, Georgina Bye
- ‘There But For the Grace of G-D, Go We…’, Ki Tavo, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan
- ‘Gender Policing’, Nitzavim, Dalia Fleming
- ‘Be Strong, Be of Good Courage’, Vayeilech, Maureen Kendler
- ‘Torah and Human Rights’, Haazinu, Norman Solomon
- ‘The Invisibility of Modern Slavery’, V’Zot HaBerachah, Elliot Steinberg