UW News

November 29, 2011

Jewish Studies Program launches series on human injustice

In a world where injustice is part of daily news, whats an individual to do? What can he or she change when theres simply so much cruelty?

University of Washington

Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service, and Dan Chirot, a professor in the Jackson School of International Studies, will kick off the first of four public conversations on human injustice  Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Each conversation will be held at 415 Westlake Avenue North (south Lake Union), sponsored by the Samuel & Althea Stroum Jewish Studies Program.

The series is titled “If I Am Only for Myself, What Am I? Judaism Confronts Human Injustice.”

Messinger is president of the American Jewish World Service. She and Chirot, an expert on global conflict, will discuss whether foreign aid can really help Africa.

Structured as a series of conversations, the four evenings will be moderated by UW faculty members. After each conversation, members of the audience will have chances to question the presenters.

The other conversations in the series include:

Jan. 24, 2012: “How Can America Move Toward a Just Domestic Agenda?” Simon Greer, former CEO of Jewish Funds for Justice, and David Domke, professor and chairman, UW Department of Communication.

Feb. 23: “What is Religions Place in Food Politics?” Nigel Savage, executive director of Hazon, and Karen Litfin, associate professor, UW Department of Political Science.

April 3: “What Would it Take to End Poverty in Seattle?” Ken Weinberg, CEO of Jewish Family Services of Seattle, and Marcia Meyers, associate professor, UW School of Social Work and Evans School of Public Affairs, as well as  director of the West Coast Poverty Center.

All of the conversations will be held at 415 Westlake Avenue North and begin at 7:30 p.m. They are free but registration is requested: http://www.jewdub.eventbrite.com

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