My attention is pulled in so many directions every day — to my husband and children, to my ailing mother, to Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Gaza, to the homeless in Los Angeles, and to many more local and national issues, but it always comes back to Sudan and Congo, and to the work we…
On July 19th, I depart for Congo. It will be my first visit. After serving as Executive Director of Jewish World Watch for a year, I know all too well the horrific statistics illustrating the chaos, lawlessness, and violence that plague the country I will soon see. An estimated 1,100 women are raped every day…
I cannot believe that in a few days, I will be leaving on my fourth trip to Congo. I always have mixed feelings at this point — excitement about going back to a country I have truly begun to love on many levels, and yet some anxiety about being so far from home in a…
I feel blessed and extremely fortunate to have gone through the experience of a lifetime traveling in Central Africa with Jewish World Watch. My eyes have been opened and my mind illuminated by the views and lifestyles of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This journey has broadened my perception of the world and…
WHY are you going THERE? I traveled to Congo to bear witness. Everyone said I was so brave to go, but I discovered that I was not the brave one. The people of Congo who have survived and prevailed under dire circumstances are some of the most courageous people I have ever had the privilege…
“Congo? Rwanda? Jewish World Watch? Janice, can I go with you?” That’s how it started — helping people and experiencing a great adventure to add to my list of life adventures. My initial reasons for going do not do justice to this journey. Ten days with JWW has enhanced and deepened my understanding of genocide,…
Photo: One of only three girls who crossed the gender line to join the carpentry program at Laissez l’Afrique Vivre, funded by JWW with thanks to the Gary Saltz Foundation. Today we met a Congolese lawyer who strives to convince survivors of sexual violence to testify against their rapists. This would not be such an…
The day is May 30th, 2014. As we all approach our fourth day out of our nine day mission, the objectives that we have accomplished and achieved are unbelievable, yet there is still so much more to do. Yesterday was one of the most fulfilling days that our group has had thus far. It began…
The problems in Congo are so huge. Until recently, the widespread rape of women occurred in conflict zones. Militiamen used it as a weapon of war to gain control of mineral interests, territory and people. Now, we are told, the practice is spreading to non-conflict zones. Increasingly, men are raping women in nearby villages. It…
Inspiring moment for the day: The Dillon Henry Foundation remembers the compassionate spirit of Dillon Henry (z’l), who tragically passed away in a car crash when he was 17. Driven by the memory of Dillon’s strength and love for humanity, the Dillon Henry Foundation has been an ardent supporter of relief and development projects serving…