February 2011 was monumental for the Egyptian people as an eighteen-day protest against decades of rule by a brutal regime ended in the announcement of President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. The spotlight was on Egypt and the world was excited to see where this new path would lead. Unfortunately, one year after Mubarak resigned, the Egyptian people had returned to the streets demanding that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) step down. SCAF was given power by Mubarak until a legitimate government could be formed; however, many claim that SCAF has failed to act in the people’s best interest. The country is still plagued with stunted economic growth and widespread unemployment. Last spring’s optimism has been replaced with the reality that change doesn’t come without challenges.
The call to seek justice is shared across many diverse faiths around the country. Jewish communities across the United States engage in global citizenship by continuing to act towards tikkun olam, or transforming our world.
One way to transform the world is by cancellingthird-world debts. For more than a decade, Jubilee USA Network has worked to cancel unjust debt in the developing world to help eradicate poverty, successfully gaining over $100 billion in debt relief for developing nations. The inspiration for debt cancellation and a modern Jubilee was inspired by the parsha Behar-Bechokotai in Leviticus.
The Leviticus passage called for every 50th year to be a “Jubilee Year,” during which all land was to be returned to its original owner, slaves were to be freed and liberty to be proclaimed throughout the land. In contemporary times, the Jubilee concept means that instead of third-world governments paying back debts to banks in the developed world — debts that have paid many times already — money and resources should go towards hospitals, school, and other citizen-first projects.
Jubilee USA Network draws its strength from many different places: connections to human rights, labor, and environmental organizations, as well as from our dedicated faith communities and Jubilee Congregations across the United States.
But some of our greatest strength comes from our partners in the Global South who continue to lead and inspire our efforts towards debt cancellation and the transformation of the international financial system to one that is moral and just. So when Jubilee USA Network has the opportunity to bring our global partners and activists from around the world to meet with local communities, we are greatly honored. Not only do we get to hear the stories about the burdensome realities of debt, strengthening our knowledge and understanding of these complex issues, we also get to build global relationships.
These global connections are at the heart of a true Jubilee, in which relationships are restored between nations and community.
