Prescription for an AWOL Community? / James Besser in Washington

Critics have accused Jewish groups of ducking and running every time the issue of the treatment of foreign detainees in the war against terrorism comes up.

That's one reason Rabbis for Human Rights- North America is broadening its own campaign against torture and other forms of abuse.  On December 10 the group will officially launch "K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network."

The new project is intended to bring together rabbis, synagogues, community groups and individuals.  Rabbi Brian Walt, the group's executive director, said Amnesty International provides a kind of model.

"The intention is to create an activist network across the country," he said.  "Action alerts and information on a specific issue will be distributed each month, with suggestions for activism."

Temple Isaiah of Lafayette, CA is the first synagogue to officially join the K'vod Habriot network.

The initial focus will be on torture, he said, but he expects the group to quickly delve into other human rights controversies.

One area will NOT be on the group's agenda for the foreseeable future, he said: the Middle East.

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