How does Jewish wisdom bolster our efforts to realize human rights for all?
We’re excited to share the next installment in JustThought – New Jewish Ideas on Global Justice from our partners at American Jewish World Service.
On December 10, we will mark the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a document that is now more important than ever, as we confront the real and powerful threats to human rights being posed by the incoming administration in our own country, and governments around the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt reads the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. (courtesy UN)
In many ways, this document changed the world.
Thanks to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the fundamentals for justice have been clear for nearly seven decades. And yet, 68 years later, genocide, hunger and brutal abuses of power still exist. And political parties that shun respect for human rights are gaining traction—from India to France to Hungary to the United States.
So what’s holding us back? Why hasn’t the universal declaration of rights led to universal realization of rights? One crucial roadblock is responsibility.
Continue reading Rights and Responsibilities