Jewish World Watch (JWW) works to end genocide and mass atrocities worldwide by educating and mobilizing individuals, advocating for policy changes and funding projects to support and build resilience in conflict-affected communities.
Mission
Jewish World Watch works to end genocide and mass atrocities worldwide by educating and mobilizing individuals, advocating for policy changes, and funding projects to support and build resilience in conflict-affected communities.
Vision
JWW envisions a world that does not stand idly by while civilian populations are being attacked simply because of who they are; a world without genocide and mass atrocities.
Primary Areas of Focus
Jewish World Watch is primarily focused on ending genocide and mass atrocities in the conflict areas of Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
History
Founded on the shared history of the Jewish people and the principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis (z”l) and Janice Kamenir-Reznik created Jewish World Watch (JWW) in 2004 after learning of the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Recalling the deafening silence during the Holocaust, and the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Rabbi Schulweis believed that they must not be silent in the face of yet another genocide; that they must educate theirselves and raise their collective voices, and that they cannot stand idly by. The “we” at the time was the Jewish people, but since its founding JWW has grown from a collection of Southern California synagogues into an organization that draws support from schools, churches, individuals, communities, and partner organizations across the country all sharing a vision of a world without genocide.
3 Pillars:
Jewish World Watch was founded on three distinct principles: that they must educate theirselves, raise their collective voices, and refuse to stand idly by while atrocities take place. The principles have formed the foundation for the three pillars to our work: Education, Advocacy, and our Projects on-the-ground.
EDUCATION
JWW raises awareness of ongoing mass atrocities around the world, and helps communities and individuals learn what they can do to get involved. Through their various educational programs, they create a better informed community ready to take action.
ADVOCACY
JWW works with elected officials and leaders in government to recommend and support concrete policy changes that will aid the U.S. government in preventing and responding to genocide and mass atrocities. They do this through direct engagement with members of Congress and the administration, the State department, USAID, and others. They create and cultivate grassroots efforts through petitions, letter writing and social media campaigns, and work with a variety of coalition partners.
PROJECTS
In addition to creating and supporting impactful programs that empower communities to create change locally, JWW provides funding for projects that support and build resilience in conflict-affected communities.
