Blog By Yossi Hurst, a Rene Cassin Alumni
My week at René Cassin was both fascinating and enjoyable. From the start, the office atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the team were a pleasure to work with, always ready to offer guidance and conversation.
The tasks I was assigned were varied and engaging, offering me the chance to explore important human rights issues through research and writing. I was particularly struck by the work René Cassin is doing around the Uyghur genocide, and their belief that, as Jewish people, we have a unique responsibility to act. I especially enjoyed writing an article exploring the similarities between the Kippa and Doppa, and using that cultural connection to highlight the solidarity between Jewish and Uyghur communities.
Researching Mizrahi Jewish history and safe routes into the UK allowed me to broaden my understanding of Jewish migration experiences beyond the ‘ashkenormative’ narrative. This work helped deepen my appreciation for the diversity within Jewish identity and history.
One highlight of the week was attending the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which gave me a valuable insight into how human rights are addressed at the state level. I also contributed to research on members of the House of Lords with human rights backgrounds. This, alongside attending the Joint committee, showed me the genuine influence that organisations like René Cassin can have on policy, especially through figures such as Lord Hermer and other politicians connected to it.
Overall, my time at René Cassin reaffirmed the vital role of Jewish advocacy in the human rights space, and the change that can be achieved through advocacy. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to staying connected with the organisation in the future.
