WCC NEWS: Rabbis for Human Rights: “We want to slowly rehabilitate our path towards a just and peaceful future”

Anton Goodman is director of Partnerships for Rabbis for Human Rights. He took time to reflect on how and why Rabbis for Human Rights values its partnership with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel; the challenges ahead; and ultimately the vision for a just and peaceful future. Old City, Jerusalem: People come and go on one of the streets in the Old City of Jerusalem. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 30 January 2025 “Reconciliation begins with awareness for human rights,” said Goodman. “When we come to a Palestinian community and provide protective presence and solidarity, the relations that develop lead to reconciliation.” But we cannot have reconciliation without a conscious acknowledgement of the human rights violations that Palestinians face, cautioned Goodman. “People talk about reconciliation in general, but we have to find a way together,” he said. “I do not believe in merely meeting together; there has to be active work to defend human rights for Palestinians.” Goodman, an Orthodox Jew, describes the current situation as a human rights nightmare. “Jewish theology from the time of the Bible throughout all of the commentators clearly says that there is no ownership of land, especially of the Holy Land, and that ownership belongs to God,” he said. “We see a need for education and awareness within Israeli society.” Rabbis for Human Rights works with thousands of Jewish Israeli students before they go into the army, teaching them about human rights by using Jewish texts and by looking at violations in Israel and the occupied territories. “We try to reach as many Israelis as possible, to open their eyes about the occupation, and to provide them with a Jewish perspective on human rights and justice,” he said. “Much of the work is on the ground in the West Bank, where we provide a protective presence, bringing hundreds of Israelis to stand in solidarity, mainly in Area C, and to stand up against settler violence.”  Rabbis for Human Rights also has an agricultural support presence, bringing approximately 1,000 Israelis and internationals - but mainly Israelis - to provide a protective presence during the olive harvest.  The reality on the ground When asked about Jerusalem, Goodman acknowledged that Jerusalem has a spiritual value in all of the three monotheistic religions.  “Jewish texts identify Jerusalem as a city of all people who can come together and worship God,” he said. “The reality on the ground today is totally different from this vision.” Goodman sees a divided city, deep infrastructure discrimination, aggressive police and security policies against Palestinians, and increasing amounts of home demolitions. “The reality on the ground in Jerusalem is a lack of rights for East Jerusalem Palestinians,” he said. “We have a long history of working with Palestinian neighborhoods such as Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah, where there is settler incursion.” As a multi-denominational Jewish organization, Rabbis for Human Rights includes rabbis who are Orthodox, Conservative Reform, and Humanist.  “We have gender equality within our organization, and we changed our Hebrew name to be gender neutral,” Goodman explained. “Our chairperson is a woman, and our board and staff are all fifty percent gender-equal.” In addition to a women’s interfaith prayer group, Rabbis for Human Rights also invite imams from Israel to regularly join in prayers and activities.  “Interfaith is so important to us, because we look to leverage our shared values towards faith-based activism,” explained Goodman. "So it is not only speaking, but being active to protect human rights on the ground.” The value of ecumenical accompaniers Goodman believes the partnership between Rabbis for Human Rights and the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is valuable, because both groups provide a protective presence and document human rights abuses from a faith-based perspective.  “We are also on the International Reference Group of EAPPI, and we have done many partnerships on the ground with the ecumenical accompaniers,” said Goodman. “EAPPI provides us with knowledge and best practices, which are useful to us.” He also noted that EAPPI documents settler violence, and when Rabbis for Human Rights receives that information, it helps them plan their activities as well.  “Last week we published a letter in the Swedish media, co-signed by numerous organizations, against the decision by the Swedish Government to prevent funding for EAPPI,” said Goodman. “We supported this letter because we think that the thoughtful and caring ecumenical accompaniers, who bring human dignity to people’s lives, must continue doing their work.” Upcoming activities “Our upcoming activity will be in Al-Walajeh village on the outskirts of Jerusalem, next to a new checkpoint,” said Goodman. “Our action together with the ecumenical accompaniers there is to protect Palestinian land, and not to turn a blind eye to the violation of rights.” The checkpoint was moved 2.5 kilometers into Palestinian land, which means that Al-Walajeh Palestinians lost 2,000 dunums (2.5 kilometers) of land.  Another ongoing activity is the alternative Jerusalem March conducted by Rabbis for Human Rights.  “We have seen the Jerusalem Day march, which is an Israeli national holiday marking the ‘unification’ of Jerusalem coopted by ultranationalists to further attack Palestinians in Jerusalem on that day,” said Goodman. “Overall, the concept that Jerusalem is ‘united' is not accurate.” He insists that Jerusalem is not a unified city.  “And when you have Israelis marching with flags throughout Palestinian neighborhoods and they yell racist chants,  we see it not only as a human rights abuse, but also as an abuse of our Jewish values,” he said. “So we march representing a different vision of the city: of human rights, equality, and peace.” He urges people to recognize that Palestinians are living under inequality, when their neighborhoods have little water supply or their homes are destroyed. “Our next march will be on 22 May, and it is designed by a coalition of 30 organizations who are from all religions: Jews, Muslims, and Christians,” he said.  When asked about the call to action of Rabbis for Human Rights, Goodman harked back to the Old Testament. “Our call for action is to embrace our core text which is the Old Testament, and the human rights within it, to immediately stop human rights abuses,” he said. “We want to slowly rehabilitate our path towards a just and peaceful future.” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

EarthBeat Weekly: Catholic climate groups urge reversal of Trump's environmental rollbacks

Catholic climate groups urge reversal of Trump's environmental rollbacks Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change January 31, 2025 Then-candidate President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, Oct. 14, 2024, in Oaks, Pa. (AP/Alex Brandon, File) In a Jan. 22 statement, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. bishops' conference, said that President Donald Trump's executive orders around the environment, immigration, the death penalty and foreign aid were "deeply troubling and will have negative consequences."  Days later, Catholic Climate Covenant and the North American chapter of the Laudato Si' Movement issued their own joint statement, blasting Trump's environmental rollbacks not just for worsening climate change and polluting ecosystems, but for threatening the lives of all people. "Rather than embrace and advance this country's essential role in domestic and global responsibilities to confront this existential [climate] crisis, this new administration has chosen to relinquish scientific and economic potential, freeze U.S. commitments, and abdicate leadership on climate policies," the leading U.S. Catholic climate organizations said, as detailed this week in a report by NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe. "The executive orders … not only call into question the administration's claims of caring for our country and its economic well-being — they threaten the rights to life and dignity of all people, which are key to Catholic Social Teaching. We call on the Trump administration to reverse these decisions. We call on Congress to hold firm on commitments to domestic and international climate programs and financing," they said. Read more: Trump environmental rollbacks pose a threat to life, Catholic groups say The North American chapter of the Laudato Si' Movement is one of more than 70 chapters worldwide in the Catholic climate and ecology network, which also counts more than 900 member organizations in 192 countries.  On Jan. 29, Laudato Si' Movement announced Lorna Gold, a longtime Catholic climate activist, as its new executive director, effective in late February. Gold is a founding member of the movement, and has served as board president since 2020 and a board member since 2017. Speaking by phone from Rome Jan. 30 after a meeting with Pope Francis, Gold told Roewe that her passion for ecological justice and desire to see Laudato Si' "become a lived reality in the church and wider world" drew her to the position. "I believe that given the crises we face today we have a responsibility to play our part and lead where we can. … I feel this is my time to lead," she said. "My vision for LSM is that the movement continues to grow and flourish both at the grassroots and as a global presence — giving witness to an ecological conversion and advocating courageously for ecological justice," she told EarthBeat. Read more: Climate activist Lorna Gold named new leader of Laudato Si' Movement     What else is new on EarthBeat:   US social ministry gathering summons Catholics to work for Christ's 'greater justice' by Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News At the opening general session of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, had a message to share from Pope Francis, saying that "It is important that our pro-life focus encompass the whole spectrum of life."    US bishop pleads for human solidarity with 'discarded' migrants,' sharing their stories by Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, Washington, knows the gritty realities of the people he shepherds. The bishop's own diocese is located in central Washington, one of the world's leading sources of apples and other produce, largely harvested through migrant labor. On Jan. 27, Tyson offered a plenary policy session titled "Pope Francis' Vision for Ecology, Dialogue, and the Common Good" to hundreds of attendees at the 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington.    US leaders claim to protect human life, but neglect to care for creation that sustains it by Michael Wright The moral imperative to care for creation seems lost on conservative leaders and lawmakers, who support protecting human life and yet oppose protecting the environment that sustains it.    A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori by Charlotte Graham-McLay, Associated Press Mount Taranaki — now known as Taranaki Maunga, its Māori name — is the latest natural feature to be granted personhood in New Zealand, which has ruled that a river and a stretch of sacred land are people before.   What's happening in other climate news: How US states are leading the climate fight – despite Trump's rollbacks —Dharna Noor for the Guardian In policy reversal, Trump eliminates help for Black and Latino communities hit harder by pollution —Michael Phillis and Alexa St. John for the Associated Press EPA cuts off IRA solar money already under contract —Jean Chemnick for E&E News As Trump targets Biden's environmental justice initiatives, activists gear up for legal fights —Kristoffer Tigue, Keerti Gopal and Marianne Lavelle for Inside Climate News Haaland to run for New Mexico governor —Rachel Frazin for The Hill  New York says 1 million fewer vehicles have entered Manhattan since congestion pricing start —David Shepardson for Reuters In 'Wicked,' a Catholic case for animal rights —Jeannine M. Pitas for U.S. Catholic     Final Beat: Just one month into 2025, NCR has reported how climate change-fueled wildfires are impacting communities across southern California and how Catholics are responding with relief aid and prayers. And already this year we've reported how energy and climate policy moves by the new Trump administration are out of line with Catholic teaching, and who in the U.S. Catholic Church is speaking out in protest. At EarthBeat, we not only tell important stories about how Catholics are joining in solidarity to care for the most vulnerable in the wake of extreme weather disasters, but also report on how these perilous situations could be prevented by adherence to another part of Catholic teaching — care for creation — and how environment issues intersect with many other issues of justice that Catholics care about. To support informed Catholic climate reporting throughout this already very newsworthy year, become an NCR Forward member today! If you're already a member, consider increasing your monthly donation as an added show of support for the independent Catholic journalism you know and trust. Ten years after the release of Pope Francis' eco-encyclical Laudato Si', NCR's EarthBeat remains the definitive outlet for news on faith and climate. Thanks for reading EarthBeat. Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephaniecherpakclary     Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? Selling Books? Place an Ad in NCR's Online Classified Section for Only $75 per Month!   Advertisement

Catholics Taking Action on Climate—Will You Join Them?

Ten years ago, the Vatican published Laudato Si', Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on care for our common home, and I couldn't wait to read it. My personal post to Facebook the morning it was released read: "The eco-encyclical has arrived! It's like Christmas morning!" with a link to the document on the Vatican website. This was followed by at least a dozen posts over the following days that quoted sections of the encyclical I found to be particularly moving. Throughout the past decade, my enthusiasm for Laudato Si' has remained high. And I'm grateful there's a news outlet that matches it — the National Catholic Reporter. Five years ago, NCR recognized just how important the church's ecological teachings had become and would continue to be, so they launched the faith and climate project EarthBeat. Today, EarthBeat remains the only space in Catholic media where you can find comprehensive reporting on how issues like climate change, sustainability, ecology and environmental justice intersect with religion and spirituality. As an NCR Forward member, you can help support important journalism initiatives like EarthBeat. Just one month into 2025, NCR has reported how climate change-fueled wildfires are impacting communities across southern California and how Catholics are responding with relief aid and prayers. And already this year we've reported how energy and climate policy moves by the new Trump administration are out of line with Catholic teaching, and who in the U.S. Catholic Church is speaking out in protest. Last year, the Earthbeat Weekly newsletter was named best national electronic newsletter by the Catholic Media Association. Since receiving that award in June, almost 5,000 new subscribers have joined EarthBeat's weekly email list, solidifying our place as the go-to-source for Catholic climate news. At NCR's EarthBeat, we not only tell important stories about how Catholics are joining in solidarity to care for the most vulnerable in the wake of extreme weather disasters, but also report on how these perilous situations could be prevented by adherence to another part of Catholic teaching — care for creation — and how environment issues intersect with many other issues of justice that Catholics care about. To support informed Catholic climate reporting throughout this already very newsworthy year, become an NCR Forward member today! And if you're already a member, consider increasing your monthly donation as an added show of support for the independent Catholic journalism you know and trust. Ten years after the release of Pope Francis' eco-encyclical, NCR's EarthBeat remains the definitive outlet for news about how the church is — and isn't — living Laudato Si' today. Thank you for your readership. Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter

Copyright (C) 2025 National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co.. All rights reserved.

Truth and Action Roundup 1.31.25

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup: a reliable weekly source of information, inspiration, and action for the first hundred days of the second Trump administration. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. Today is Friday, Jan. 31, day 12 of the new Trump administration. It’s abundantly clear that the Trump administration is using a strategy of shock and awe to “flood the zone.” It’s hard to keep up with the barrage of dismaying and often demoralizing executive orders and policy decisions — and that’s the point. Frenzy and chaos are core features of the Trump administration. Some of these actions, while discouraging, are well within his power as president; others represent a stretch of democratic norms — or an abuse of his authority. This administration hopes to exploit a demoralized and overwhelmed opposition to quickly accomplish as much of its agenda as possible. While this strategy is designed to make us tune out and feel defenseless, our Christian response must be one of a faith-rooted hope, courage, and resilience. Together, we can stay informed and exercise the power of our communities. Together we will choose to nurture our spirits for the road ahead. We’ll be with you every Friday to help you with all of the above. — Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners In the News Here’s what’s been happening this week: 1) The new administration has taken several drastic actions related to federal funding including a later-rescinded memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget that instructed the federal government to freeze funding on all loans and grants. The memo “sent officials at schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, research companies and many others into a frantic scramble,” per the New York Times. Lawsuits swiftly filed by a coalition of nonprofits and state attorneys general appear to have halted the far-reaching freeze for now. However, many other executive orders, such as the one freezing nearly all U.S. foreign assistance — including programs that deliver lifesaving care for HIV/AIDS — remain in effect, causing significant harms in the U.S. and around the world. 2) Confirmation hearings continued this week for President Donald Trump’s high-level administration nominees, including three who are among the most problematic: Kash Patel for FBI director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. All three have faced tough questioning from some of the Democrats in the hearings and largely united support from Republicans. 3) On immigration, Trump’s crackdown has not only included actions such as allowing for ICE raids at schools and churches and summary deportation of nearly all migrant people arriving at the southern border, but also an indefinite freeze on refugee admissions from regions affected by war and other crises around the world. The refugee freeze immediately stranded more than 22,000 refugees who had been previously approved to come to the U.S. after a years-long vetting process. 4) Trump signed an executive order targeting transgender and other gender-diverse children by seeking to end all gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19. The order seeks to prohibit federal funding for children to receive this care through Medicare, Medicaid, and government employees’ health insurance. The order also demands that institutions receiving federal research and education grants stop providing gender-affirming care for children. Take Action Tell Congress to end the pause on U.S. foreign assistance and protect domestic nutrition programs. Bread for the World has made it easy to contact your members of Congress and tell them to restore funding for foreign aid and protect programs that help feed nearly 48 million people in the U.S. Tell your senators: Carefully vet and question Trump’s cabinet nominees! We need to make sure senators exercise their responsibility to oppose nominees for the cabinet and other key positions who show themselves to be unqualified, extreme, or place their loyalty to Trump ahead of the good of the country. The next few days are critical for opposing problematic nominees, such as Kash Patel, RFK Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Contact your senators today and urge them to defend the checks and balances of our democracy. What We’re Reading We’ve added this new section to provide more in-depth reading and resources from our Sojourners colleagues. We hope these resources provide deeper context and new perspectives on these important topics. We Are Here: Refugee Storytellers. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and stories of refugees worldwide. Watch their stories here. What Will We Risk To Defy Unjust Immigration Orders? “In the late 19th century, Chinese Christians joined other migrants in defying government orders, even at threat of deportation. Will we have the same courage?” asks Russell Jeung. 5 Things Your Religious Community Can Do to Support Trans People. “As the U.S. government escalates its discrimination against trans people, religious communities must escalate their support of the trans community,” writes Oisín Rowe. Deep Breaths Persistence is Key Friends, as we continue to breathe deeply for ourselves and for our neighbors, reflect on the promises found in John 2:17-25, and pray within your heart the words of William Edward Burghardt Du Bois: In these first beginnings of the new life of the world, renew in us the resolution to persist in the good work we have begun. Give us strength of body and strength of mind and the unfaltering determination to carry out that which we know to be good and right. Forgive all wavering in the past service of Thy cause and make us strong to go forward in spite of the doubts of our friends and our enemies and in spite of our own distrust in ourselves. Out of the death of winter comes ever and again the resurrection of spring: so out of evil bring good, O God, and out of doubt determination. Amen. — Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Senior Adviser and Director to the President’s Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves Senior Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2025 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842