Hanukkah is a celebration of light and hope. Yet around the world, millions of people still live in the darkness and despair of human trafficking. This Hanukkah, you can shed light on the issue of human trafficking and bring hope to those who suffer in slavery around the world. And you don't even have to leave the house to do it.
Here are eight ideas for how you fight slavery from your living room or across your table over the course of your Hanukkah celebration:
1. Support Jewish Women International, a long-time advocate for fighting human trafficking, domestic violence, and other related crimes. You can take action to support their legislative initiatives here.
2. Free Sara Kruzan. Sara was a child trafficking victim who at the age of 16 was sentenced to life without parole for killing the man who raped and enslaved her since she was 13. She has petitioned Governor Schwarzenegger for clemency and is supported by tens of thousands of people, including faith leaders from several traditions.
3. Join the movement to buy better gifts. Check out the 2010 Change.org Holiday Gift Guide for gift ideas that benefit human trafficking survivors and other groups. Or, make this a Fair Trade Hanukkah with Fair Trade gelt that helps end child slavery in the cocoa industry.
4. Host a community event. Follow in the footsteps of an inspiring interfaith organization in New Jersey that hosted a community festival to inspire people to join the fight against human trafficking. Engage members of your synagogue in a discussion about how you as a community can address this issue.
5. Volunteer at an anti-trafficking organization near you. This time of year, many organizations need extra help to manage donations or assist survivors with special needs. Check out this list as a good starting point for groups to work with.
6. Push for better legislation. Congress is on the verge of passing the Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, which would provide critical services for child trafficking victims in the U.S. Take a minute and sign the petition to pass it.
7. Make your meals local. You can avoid supporting slavery and exploitation in the U.S. agricultural industry by making your Hanukkah meals from as many local ingredients as possible. Want to do more? Ask grocery giant Kroger to commit to fair food.
8. Support the American Jewish World Service's efforts in Haiti, where child trafficking is rampant. And then check out the hilarious video below.
There are dozens of ways you can light the way for human trafficking victims this Hanukkah, and these are just eight suggestions. Together, we have the power to use holidays to end human trafficking and to give all people living in and at risk for modern-day slavery a brighter future.
Photo credit: juliejigsaw
Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
Source: End Hyman Trafficking
No comments:
Post a Comment