“Justice, justice, shall you pursue.” (Deut 16:20)

By: Linda Levin, Kehillah Chadashah President

Barukh atah ADONAI, our God, ruler of time and space, who fashioned the first human being in the divine image and endowed every descendant with human rights—for one who disgraces another person brings disgrace to the likeness of God. Barukh atah ADONAI, creator of humanity and human rights.

Our God and God of our ancestors, do we not all share one parent? Did not one God create us all? And you have bestowed your dignity upon flesh and blood! It is well-known and obvious in Your sight that whoever can protest against wrongdoing in this world and does not protest is held accountable for what happens in the world. May it be Your will, therefore, that we act to protect human rights and human dignity. Help us to perceive the Divine Presence in every one of your creations, so that we may find favor and good will in the eyes of God and one another.

Prayer by Rabbi David Freidenreich

December 10 was Human Rights Shabbat and Kehillah Chadashah joined other Reconstructionist Congregations around the country to participate. Rabbi Mona Decker lead us in a lively discussion looking at Jewish text and the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights.

Betzelim Elohim – in G-d’s image we were created. Not the physical image, but in His holiness. Because we are all created in His image, we should both be treated as holy -valued and respected by others - and be holy - treat others with respect and dignity. Every day this trust is violated; children are molested, elderly are abused, individuals are tortured and killed because of different points of view and values. We not only have to be concerned with radicals of other groups hating us and others because of our differences, but unfortunately we even have to be concerned with radicals of our own – Jews who do not even appreciate other Jews because they are not considered “Jewish enough”.

So what do we do with all this? Concern ourselves with raising our own children in a way that we hope that they will make the world a better place? Yes. But what about children who are raised to violate other’s human rights? Do we discuss and educate and continue open debate with hopes that we can persuade others to value humans and their rights? Yes. But is that enough? Do we protest in the hopes that our voices are heard and make a difference? Yes, because if we don’t why should someone else care about us?

Rabbi Hillel said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?”

We all need to think about what we can do as individuals and as a community to raise awareness where human rights are violated and to take steps with our fellow human to repair our world. I challenge us all to think about what we can do as individuals and as a community. And I further challenge us all to take action!

I will not be just for myself. I will be for others. And will do something now!