Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World
From Judaism's rich history of prophetic justice comes an inspiring call to action.
Why is it that Jews are so involved in causes dedicated to justice, equality, human rights and peace? Are these trends influenced by religion, history, sociology or something else?
In this provocative exploration, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, founder and president of PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, sheds light on the relationship between Judaism, social justice and the Jewish identity of American Jews. He traces how the idea of justice, as developed in the sacred texts of Judaism, conditions Jewish attitudes and behavior. In a fascinating portrayal of some of the major issues facing the Jewish community in the last fifty years, Schwarz explores a community torn between its instincts for self-preservation and its desire to serve as an ethical "light to the nations."
This powerful and empowering book will provide you with a starting point for meaningful engagement―and a new way to understand Jewish identity.
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Book details
- Author
- Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, PhD
- Imprint
- Jewish Lights, an imprint of Turner Publishing Company
- Published
- Pages
- 352
- Formats
- Paperback, Hardcover
- Subjects
- Religion › Judaism
- Topics
- social justice · Jewish ethics · Jewish identity · religious ethics · human rights · Jewish values · tikkun olam
- ISBN-13
- 9781580233538 (Paperback)9781580233125 (Hardcover)
About the author
RABBI SIDNEY SCHWARZ is the founding rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, and the author of Jewish Megatrends: Charting the Course of the American Jewish Future, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World and Finding a Spiritual Home: How a New Generation of Jews Can Transform the American Synagogue.
Schwarz founded and led PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values for twenty-one years. He currently serves as a senior fellow at Clal—The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, where he works on a program training rabbis to be visionary spiritual leaders.
When not writing, Schwarz continues to teach and lead services at Adat Shalom. His work as a social entrepreneur and political activist informs his exploration of Jewish identity, justice and the future of American Jewish life.