Dear Friends,
In March 1965, Rabbi Tanenbaum could be found in Selma, Alabama, marching side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in support of voting rights for Black Americans.
In October 1965, Rabbi Tanenbaum could be found in Rome – the heart and soul of Catholic Christiandom – as the only Jew present at the signing of Nostra Aetate, a revolutionary document calling for increased dialogue between Catholicism and other religions and marking the beginning of the end of 2000 years of mutual animosity.
In the late 60s and early 70s, he protested the Nigerian-Biafra War and could be found organizing airlifts of food and supplies to displaced Biafran refugees.
In the 1980s, he was on the border of Cambodia and Thailand, offering a prayer for the thousands of lives lost under the despotic rule of the Khmer Rouge.
In between, Rabbi Tanenbaum could be found in churches, government offices, synagogues, bible colleges and non-profits around the world spreading his message of our mutual humanity and condemning how “religious, racial and ethnic hatreds have become the engine of an epidemic of dehumanization in the world.”
His legacy is our work.
Tanenbaum was founded in 1992 immediately following Rabbi Tanenbaum’s death. We work to stop the “engine of dehumanization” by giving people the tools to appreciate difference, eradicate fear of the other and to live in a religiously plural, multicultural world. Just as our namesake combined his message with work on the ground, we reach people with practical programs that make a real difference in how we treat one another every day.
- Religion & Diversity Education finds children where they are – in school – and provides the foundational knowledge they need to grow into curious and respectful adults.
- Religious Diversity in the Workplace finds adults where they are – at work – and gives them the skills to interact with and serve religiously diverse populations in a meaningful and inclusive way.
- Religion & Conflict Resolution carries on Rabbi Tanenbaum’s human rights work where it’s most needed – in areas of armed conflict – by supporting and publicizing the work of unrecognized local peacebuilders who draw on religion to do their work.
At Tanenbaum, we’re inspired by Rabbi Tanenbaum’s incredible work. We feel privileged to help keep his legacy alive, and we hope that you, too, are inspired.
As 2007 draws to a close and we look forward to a year of continued expansion, we would be honored if you would add Tanenbaum to your giving list.
Your support is what makes our work – Rabbi Tanenbaum’s work – possible.
You can make a general donation or support a specific program – provide books for one elementary classroom, or sponsor one of our peacebuilders. Visit our website to donate now, or contact us to learn more about all the ways you can support Tanenbaum.
Here’s to 2008 and another year of building on Rabbi Tanenbaum’s legacy!
In friendship,
Joyce
