Episode 540: AJWS and Global Responsibility

This conversation explores how American Jewish World Service understands global justice as an expression of human dignity, solidarity, and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to live a full and flourishing life. Through stories from Uganda, Kenya, and beyond, Joannine Nanyange describes how AJWS partners with grassroots movements fighting for LGBTQ rights, health access, democracy, and human rights, emphasizing accompaniment rather than charity and agency rather than dependency. Elizabeth Richman connects that work to Jewish teachings about responsibility, arguing that Judaism calls people to expand their circle of concern beyond themselves and to take action when confronted with injustice. In a deeply interconnected world, the struggles of distant communities are never truly distant, and hope is sustained through relationships, shared responsibility, and the collective work of building a more just future. American Jewish World Service (AJWS)is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and defend human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. We respond to pressing global issues—from humanitarian disasters, authoritarianism and the climate crisis, to the persecution of women and minorities—by supporting hundreds of social change organizations on three continents and advocating for U.S. and international policies protecting human rights. Our supporters are primarily members of the Jewish community, but our work helps people of all religions, races and ethnicities. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and building a more just and equitable world for all.   Joaninne Nanyange (she/they) is an attorney with over 13 years of leadership experience in the field of sexual health and rights. Her legal background spans grassroots legal advocacy to global grantmaking, giving her a unique perspective on the needs of the movements AJWS supports. As the Director of AJWS’s Sexual Health and Rights team, Joaninne leads a portfolio of seven countries, supporting grassroots movements advancing the rights of women, girls and LGBTQI+ communities. She is also widely recognized as a trusted thought leader in the African sexual health and rights landscape. Rabbi Elizabeth Richman (she/her) leads AJWS’s Jewish Engagement team, working with American Jewish clergy, community leaders, and institutions to advance AJWS’s mission. Before coming to AJWS, she spent 13 years in executive leadership at Jews United for Justice (JUFJ). Ordained at JTS, Elizabeth is actively involved in the work of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable and is a senior fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute. She currently serves on the steering committee of Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVa) and previously served as co-chair of the DC Jobs with Justice board and as a member of the Interfaith Worker Justice board. She has also served on the Rabbinical Assembly’s Social Action Commission, the Resolutions Committee, and the Rabbinic Career Development Commission. Access full shownotes for this episode via this link. If you're enjoying Judaism Unbound, please help us keep things going with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible donation -- support Judaism Unbound by clicking here!