Social Justice
Why Liberal Jews Should Read an Orthodox Social Justice Book
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz’s new book, Jewish Ethics and Social Justice is a must-read for Orthodox Jews interested in social justice. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of them — yet. But liberal Jews should read it too.
What is the Jewish Social Justice Agenda?
We must expand what is meant by “Jewish issues” beyond Israel and antisemitism. At a recent conference in Washington DC, dozens of Jewish leaders talked about what that broader agenda should be. Here are some of them.
Toward a Jewish Housing Initiative
In the wake of the housing crisis, the Jewish community, while expressing a new commitment to social justice, needs to commit itself to more than advocacy.
Why Climate Change is Bad for the Jews
Climate change will be a disaster for Israel: a 4-8% drop in precipitation and increased extreme climate events. But conservatives in the U.S. continue to obstruct any progress on this issue. In this way, Israel’s purported friends in America are damaging its long-term economic and political future
Jewish Education for a Time of Wandering
If we are not guided by a philosophy of Jewish education—a big picture idea of the aims of education and the best strategies to achieve those aims—much of our day-to-day work is wasted (at best) or counterproductive (at worst).
Tzedek and Chesed: Rethinking the Relationship between Advocacy and Service
Through a retelling of the history of Panim, founder Sid Schwarz offers a new take on how to do social justice work.
Why Jewish Environmental Education Matters
When we hear the words “Jewish environmental education,” we often only hear “environmental education” and not “Jewish education.” It’s easy to think of environmental programs as a fun add-on, rather than core, to Jewish learning. That is a mistake.
Calling Jewish Activists: Synagogues Need You and You Need Them
Chanukah is the holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. But what about the temples in our own backyards – can they be rededicated, to social justice?
Gilat Shalit is home, and my son is going off to war
If you can understand why Gilad’s parents pushed for this swap, you can understand why I don’t want my son to serve in combat. It’s not rational. It’s not about my left wing political opinions or the fact that I am not a native Israeli. It’s because I am a mother. I am simply doing my job.
Gold is not G!d: Kol Nidre at Occupy Wall Street
This sermon was given at Occupy Wall Street on Friday Night, and ‘amplified’ by the human microphone to between 700-1000 people.
Conservative Money and Jewish Studies: Investigating the Tikvah Fund
A hundred-million-dollar right-wing Jewish foundation is attempting to change the political face of Jewish studies and the Jewish press. Zachary Braiterman, Associate Professor of Religion at Syracuse University, investigates.
"We Are Not Like Them": Itamar Massacre Activates A Dangerous Israeli-Jewish Ethnocentrism
“Let us not forget who we are dealing with. During a new moon, or when a crow’s dropping hit a howling jackal… the wild beast…sets off to stalk its prey.” Who said this? Not Osama Bin Laden. Not Khadafi. It was Gilad Sharon, speaking about the Palestinian people.
Analyzing Palestinian Ramallah Protests after Mubarak's Ouster
A bird’s eye view of Palestinian protests in Ramallah in the wake of Mubarak’s ouster; thanks to Ramallah Reflections which allowed us to reprint this essay.
What the Palestine Papers Mean
On January 23, Al Jazeera released the “Palestine Papers,” 1600 internal documents from Israel-Palestine peace negotiations. The documents show that it was Israel that was no partner for peace–and that the US failed to act as an honest broker.
Queer Jewish Community Remixed: Organizing without a Critical Mass
At the intersection of queer and Jewish, how can LGBT Jewish students build a movement to empower themselves?
Unite, Confuse and Inspire: A Response to the Rise of Racism in Israel
Over 53% of Israelis believe the state should encourage Arabs to leave the country. A snapshot of racism in Israel, and a list of concrete steps to stop its rise.
Bowling in Ramallah
Does economic growth in Ramallah mean economic peace for Israel/Palestine?
Three Israels: Why We Can't Talk about BDS
Despite Theodor Herzl’s dream, Israel is not simply a state like any other state. There are three Israels: the State of Israel (a “state like any other state”), Israel/Palestine, and the Jewish State. Which state(s) shape our understanding of Israel determines our views of the BDS movement.
The End of Civil Discourse
Recently, I read a status update from an intelligent person who asked all of their friends who disagreed on their assessment of Israel as a terrorist state to hit the de-friend button. Is this really what we’ve come to?
Which Campaign to Wage?
Is the new anti-BDS campaign (called the Israel Action Network) really serving Israel’s best interests?
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- 5000 Pages of Zeek
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