The essence of my Jewish faith hearkens back to Biblical times and the prophets Isaiah and Micah and Amos. The idea of Tikkun Olam, of repairing the world, of pursuing justice was born with them thousands of years ago. To be a social activist is at the heart of being a Jew. We cannot stand idly by with the overwhelming poverty,with the suffering around the world and be silent and not be an active participant in tikkun olam.
Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs
Founder, Progressive Faith Foundation
“Jesus called me to put everything on the line in order to learn to love well—I am a social justice Christian.”
—Pastor Samir Selmanovic, founder of Faith House Manhattan
The essence of my Jewish faith hearkens back to Biblical times and the prophets Isaiah and Micah and Amos. The idea of Tikkun Olam, of repairing the world, of pursuing justice was born with them thousands of years ago. To be a social activist is at the heart of being a Jew. We cannot stand idly by with the overwhelming poverty,with the suffering around the world and be silent and not be an active participant in tikkun olam.
Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs
Founder, Progressive Faith Foundation
Wendy Braitman said...
1At our Jewish congregation, IKAR, we are praying with our feet. Please sign our open letter to President Obama and members of Congress about enacting humane, comprehensive Immigration Reform : http://bit.ly/cKLWqH
05/12/10 7:44 PM | Comment Link
Elizabeth Sholes said...
2Rabbi Jacobs speaks equally with progressive Christians. Christianity has divided into two parts, one with a focus on the self and personal salvation, the other with an eye to the teachings of Christ and all other faiths to bring about justice in the here and now. The latter is the enduring Protestant tradition and is neither a new idea nor a particularly “radical” one. It is the core of Protestantism in the US for centuries. It is part of what unites all of us in the Abrahamic traditions. It is as much the heart of a Christian as the heart of what it means to be a Jew. We embrace our fellow humans who share in this goal.
09/21/10 4:32 PM | Comment Link