Press Releases

AJWS President and CEO Robert Bank on the Leaked SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Draft Decision

Leader of global Jewish human rights organization decries the draft decision which signals that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark abortion rights law “Though the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade is not final, we are deeply disturbed by the national and global implications of this potential Supreme Court ruling. …

Read More

AJWS and the AJWS Union Announce First Collective Bargaining Agreement

Landmark agreement ratified after only six months of bargaining NEW YORK – American Jewish World Service and the AJWS Union announced their first ratified collective bargaining agreement, only six months after bargaining commenced, and only eight months after AJWS voluntarily recognized the union. The AJWS Union is affiliated with Local 153 of the Office and …

Read More

A New Beginning for Haiti: The U.S. and International Community Must Support Civil Society Efforts in Creating a Transitional Government

On an important day for Haiti, past and present, Tracey Gurd, Senior Director of Civil and Political Rights and Advocacy of American Jewish World Service released the following statement: Today marks a key moment both for the past and the future of Haiti’s democracy. February 7 commemorates not only the end of the 30-year dictatorship …

Read More

Venus Devnani Named Executive Vice President of American Jewish World Service

To drive meaningful social impact, organizations must be at the vanguard of justice and change, developing people-forward programs and practices that center marginalized communities in every aspect of mission delivery. Venus Devnani Named Executive Vice President of American Jewish World Service Today, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading …

Read More

A Year After the January 6 Insurrection at the Capitol, the U.S. Must Shrug Off the Notion of American Exceptionalism and Deepen its Efforts to Safeguard Democracy at Home and Abroad

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, is calling on the U.S. and international leaders to take bold action to protect democratic rights and the rule of law to combat the growing threat of authoritarianism around the world. AS THE NATION MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION AT …

Read More

To Ensure That The Summit For Democracy Succeeds, We Must Listen To The Voices Of Those Around The World Who Are Fighting For Their Democratic Rights

American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish human rights organization, calls on the U.S. and the international community to pursue a true partnership with civil society in setting robust commitments at this week’s summit and throughout the year of action to follow. In advance of the Summit for Democracy, Robert Bank, President and CEO …

Read More

Resignation of Special Envoy to Haiti Must Serve as a Wake-Up Call to Biden Administration: Leading Global Human Rights Organization Calls on Administration to Reverse Course, Halt Deportations, and Listen to Haitian Civil Society

In response to the sudden resignation of the United States’ special envoy for Haiti, Ambassador Daniel Foote, and the devastating treatment of Haitian migrants at the US Southern border, Tracey Gurd, senior director of civil and political rights and advocacy at American Jewish World Service (AJWS), issued the below statement: “Ambassador Foote’s resignation as the …

Read More

Haiti Is at a Crossroads: The United States and International Community Must Ensure Haitians Can Determine Their Own Future

In response to the robust and fast-breaking debates over the future of Haiti since last week’s assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse, Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), which has worked with human rights activists in Haiti since 1999, issued this policy statement in support of Haitian democracy and civil …

Read More

Leading Jewish Human Rights Group Applauds House Appropriations Committee for Advancing Legislation That Promotes Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

American Jewish World Service Welcomes Increased Funding, the Repeal of the Global Gag Rule, and the Removal of Helms Amendment Background Today, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations passed a bill that advances sexual and reproductive health and rights around the globe. The iscal ear 2022 (FY22) State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill …

Read More