Jan 2, 2014
Miami-Dade Synagogues to Participate in National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Saturday, January 11
More than a dozen Miami-Dade synagogues will take part in National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, facilitated by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking. Pulpit rabbis will focus their sermons on this issue on Saturday, January 11, or shortly thereafter, to inform congregants about the growing threat of domestic minor sex trafficking in South Florida.
Participating congregations include Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, Bet Breira Samu-El Or Olom, Bet Shira Congregation, The Center for Jewish Life at Beth David, Beth Moshe, Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus, Chabad Chayil, Temple Beth Am, Temple Beth Or, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Israel of Greater Miami, Temple Menorah, Temple Sinai of North Dade and Young Israel Aventura.
Rabbis at all of these congregations have committed to speak on the horrors of domestic minor sex trafficking, and provide their congregants with educational and advocacy materials assembled by the Task Force’s Clergy Outreach Committee.
“We applaud the participating rabbis and their respective congregations for recognizing that human trafficking is a flagrant human rights violation and distinguishing the perpetration of this crime as a significant Jewish concern,” said Nancy Zaretsky, Chair of the Task Force.
The U.S. Department of State and the International Labor Organization estimate that revenues in worldwide trafficking exceed $32 billion annually. Tens of thousands of youth born in America are at risk of sexual endangerment or exploitation. Perpetrators are targeting the most vulnerable of populations, our local children, as the average age of entry for commercially sexually exploited children is 12-13 years. Miami-Dade County has the most reported cases in Florida.
The Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking emerged as individuals recognized a need for a cohesive, socially responsible approach to advocate and raise awareness on behalf of these victims who have lost one of the most basic rights: human dignity. The Task Force first met on August 27, 2013 to discuss options and needed steps to be impactful on advocacy and awareness initiatives. Members agreed an important first step in initiating change and combating such an unthinkable crime is to raise awareness in our own Jewish community.
For further information about JCRC, click here, email [email protected] or call 786.866.8486.
