Registration is now open for the second Rabbis for Human Rights (North America) conference, which will run from December 7-9 at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. The conference is meant for rabbis, cantors, rabbinic students and "all who are committed to human rights." I'm a strong supporter of the work that RHR does, and I missed last year's conference for scheduling reasons, so I've already put this one on my calendar.

I've also put it on my calendar because I'm going to be liveblogging it, as I did the URJ Biennial and the Progressive Faith Blog Con. So if you're going to be there, let me know; I'd love to meet!

The conference's highlights will include sessions on:

• Zionism, Israel and Human Rights with Avram Burg, author and former Speaker of the Knesset; Paula Hyman, Lucy Moses Professor of Modern Jewish History at Yale University; and Sari Nusseibeh, President of Al Quds University. The panel will be moderated by Kathleen Peratis, Board Member Emerita of Human Rights Watch. (Sunday night)

• The Abrahamic Religions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary; Dr. David Gushee, founder of Evangelicals for Human Rights; and Imam Yahya Hendi, founder of Imams for Human Rights and Dialogue, moderated by Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, Director, Religious Studies Program, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. (Monday)

• Renewing America's Commitment to Human Rights with Linda Gustitus, Chair, National Religious Campaign Against Torture; Sammie Moshenberg of the National Council of Jewish Women; and Michael Posner, President of Human Rights First, moderated by Mary Ann Stein, President, Moriah Fund. (Tuesday)

The schedule also features a concert by Pharaoh's Daughter, which should be awesome (I've seen Basya Schechter play before, and enjoy her music a lot); "A Land Twice Promised: A compelling piece on Israeli and Palestinian women's stories" by Noa Baum; and a variety of study sessions and opportunities for communal prayer and song.

The conference isn't expensive (only $350; $300 if your travel costs are high; $180 for students), and it's an amazing opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. You can register online or print out a registration form to mail in via post here -- I hope to see you there!

12/10/08 ETA: There's a link to an index page of all of my conference liveblogging posts here; I hope you'll read, enjoy, and join the conversation!

Technorati tags: religion, Judaism, humanrights, RHR-NA.