Debbi Dunn Solomon, National Council of Jewish Women
Director of Marketing & Communications
212 870 2732, dsolomon@njcw.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hadassah and National Council of Jewish Women Partner on
Jewish Day of Action to #EndHumanTrafficking
January 6, 2016 NEW YORK — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc., are joining forces for the second year in a row to raise visibility during January — Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This effort is designed to unify a collective Jewish voice, online and on-the-ground in communities nationwide, to energize grassroots involvement and spur community action to #EndHumanTrafficking.
On January 14, Jewish organizations and individuals from across the United States will raise awareness through social media about human trafficking and the millions of victims—men, women, and children—trapped in this modern day slavery. Together, we are calling on community leaders, lawmakers, and advocates to do their part to #EndHumanTrafficking.
Janice Weinman, Executive Director and CEO of Hadassah, states, "We have seen the issue of human trafficking affect every city and community across the United States. According to US State Department statistics, Human Trafficking is a $150 billion industry and the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise. Last year we saw how the work of dedicated advocates lead to congressional action. Now we can again make an impact by raising awareness within the Jewish community and through our wider social networks. By speaking out as one, we show that combating human trafficking must be a priority for all. Hadassah is proud to partner with the National Council of Jewish Women at the national and community levels to help our members educate their communities about trafficking and mobilize to take action. Together, we support local anti-trafficking coalitions, advocacy campaigns, and community events featuring law enforcement representatives, trafficking survivors and victim advocates. We must continue this momentum to ensure the necessary support for victims of both sex and labor trafficking and penalize all those profiting from the trafficking enterprise."
NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman adds, "Partnering with Hadassah and the larger Jewish community is an important show of support for combating human trafficking which we know occurs in every state. Last January, lawmakers in the House of Representatives made huge strides in addressing human trafficking by passing 12 anti-trafficking measures that would improve services to victims of trafficking, promote prevention strategies, develop best practices for health care providers to respond to child trafficking, and bolster law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute buyers and suppliers, instead of victims. But, there is much work left to be done, including passage of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (RHYTPA), HR 1779/S 262, which would continue and expand meaningful social service programs that have been working for over forty years for homeless and trafficked youth. Utilizing social media to galvanize the Jewish community in January is a step in the right direction for so many trapped and exploited by their traffickers. We hope lawmakers hear our clarion call and move swiftly to pass the RHYTPA and other critical anti-trafficking bills introduced this Congress."
Organizations participating in the Jewish Day of Action to #EndHumanTrafficking include: The Jewish Federations of North America, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, T'ruah, Project Kesher, Jewish Women International, The Workmen's Circle, Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies, Jewish Women's Foundation of New York, American Jewish Society for Service, The Miriam Fund and Jewish Labor Committee. Additional organizations can register here.
The Jewish Day of Action will include a social media awareness campaign and Thunderclap to encourage, support, and mobilize the greater Jewish community. The National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah created a social media tool kit and resource list with sample social media posts, graphics, and information for use on the Day of Action and beyond.
In addition, members of both organizations are offering community awareness and educational programs, as well as advocacy opportunities, across the United States throughout the entire month of January. Members of National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah are partnering at the grassroots level on joint community programs in Northern New Jersey, Annapolis, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, and more.
For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.hadassah.org/trafficking and www.ncjw.org/trafficking.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW. For more information, visit www.ncjw.org.