There are people who suffer all around the world because they do not have the same freedom and rights as we have in Reading.
This privilege we enjoy in our own community comes with a responsibility to others.

We remember the courage of prisoners of conscience
who remain loyal to their understanding of the truth
And suffer for what they believe.

These prisoners may be feared, misunderstood
They may be victims of discrimination
They may have stood up for justice.
They may be innocent of any crime.
They may simply have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And they are our part of humanity like us.

Our awareness, our solidarity, our commitment to take action on their behalf may not seem very much.
But it Is so better than nothing.
Even in the most desperate situation
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
And sometimes it can be enough

We celebrate the work of Amnesty International over the past 50 years,
The love of humanity
The commitment to truth
The challenge against injustice
The support for those suffering and in prison
The lives transformed through caring, support and communication
The hope for a better world

From here there is an opportunity to move on,
Learning, caring, communicating, believing.
A world of human rights,
worthy of the great Amnesty tradition

To embrace truth
To be tolerant and supportive of others
To follow teachings and examples of justice.
To fulfil our potential as human beings
And to create a world of hope, love, freedom and joy
in which every human being matters.

   

Myths and Misconceptions: the things people say about religions they don't understand.

Wednesday 29th June 8 pm
as guests of Reading Hebrew Congregation,
Goldsmid Road, Reading RG1 7YB 

Rabbi Zvi Solomons on Myths and Misconceptions about the Jewish Faith now available to listen to on line