Rabbi Arik Ascherman will speak from the Jewish tradition about the state of Israel's democracy, the blessings and challenges of power, and current human rights challenges regarding Palestinians, socio-economic justice for Israelis, African asylum seekers in Israel and Israel's Bedouin citizens

Rabbi Ascherman led Rabbis for Human Rights for 21 years, and has currently founded "Torat Tzedek" (Torah of Justice.) He is known for putting himself in physical danger in the defense of others, and is widely recognized as a leading Israeli advocate for universal human rights as a Jewish and Zionist obligation.