American Jewish World Service (AJWS), an international development and human rights organization, has launched the Global Circle, a community of young professionals dedicated to supporting AJWS’s mission to alleviate poverty, hunger and disease in the developing world.

The AJWS Global Circle aims to engage Jewish young professionals, ages 25 to 40, in global social justice issues through fundraising events, lectures, social gatherings, service opportunities and personal philanthropy. It is led by a steering committee of 20 individuals from diverse professional fields, including medicine, finance, media and the arts.

During the Global Circle’s initial year, the steering committee will focus on organizing events in the New York area that highlight AJWS’s work while inspiring Jewish young professionals to actively participate in the organization’s social justice initiatives.

“AJWS’s Global Circle is led by and reaching out to the next generation of savvy, Jewish philanthropists and activists who view themselves as global citizens committed to eradicating poverty and protecting human rights,” says Dena Blank, Global Circle Chair. “These young professionals will serve as stewards for the organization, working to ensure that AJWS can continue its groundbreaking work with grassroots organizations.”

The group’s first event is scheduled for today, May 18th, in New York City and will feature award-winning photojournalist Ron Haviv as he shares his experiences covering conflicts and humanitarian crises around the globe, most recently in Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo. AJWS supports grassroots NGOs working in these areas and Haviv’s photographs offer an opportunity for guests to understand these conflicts and various actions they can take to help people in harm’s way.

Other upcoming Global Circle events include a screening of the documentary film, Reporter, featuring New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, at HBO’s New York headquarters in September. Global Circle is also planning a fundraiser party scheduled for November.

For more information on the Global Circle and upcoming events, visit the AJWS Website.