The Gathering | Celebrating a rich legacy of activism - Avodah

The Gathering | Celebrating a rich legacy of activism

Published Feb 1, 2022
A mural of the “I Am a Man” protest that took place in Memphis, TN, during the Civil Rights Movement. Joshua J. Cotten; Unsplash
Welcome to our first edition of The Gathering, a monthly newsletter from the Avodah Institute for Social Change. Our goal at the Institute is to provide more pathways for Jewish institutions and their leaders to strengthen their engagement with social justice (read more about our vision here). As part of this, we’re connecting you with some of the inspiring Jewish writing, teaching, art, and activism moving us towards a more just world.
 
We’ll be sharing a “gathering” of Jewish insights and perspectives on issues ranging from health care to criminal justice reform to climate change so that we can engage in this work from a deeply personal place.
 
— Sarra Alpert, Director of The Avodah Institute for Social Change

Recommendations

Book

The Social Justice Torah Commentary from CCAR Press

A diverse array of authors delve into each week’s parashah (Torah portion) to draw lessons that speak to modern social issues like racial bias, bail reform, climate change, immigration, reproductive justice, mutual aid, and many more.

PODCAST

Jews Talk Racial Justice – Ep 71: Tu B’Shvat and MLK Day

A highlight from this past month, April N. Baskin and Tracie Guy-Decker explore the resonances between Tu B’Shvat and MLK Day: “We need racial justice as mighty, lasting and life-giving as our trees.” There are discussion questions for you to deepen your learning.

VIDEO

Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier’s Speak Torah to Power Talk

Racial justice activist and rabbinical student, Dr. Koach Frazier, speaks on spiritual resilience through the practice of lament and shows how to use it on our journey to liberation.

Song

L’Dor V’Dor

Avodah alum Rena Branson shares a song to inspire our multigenerational activism and ground us in the rich legacy of climate and social justice organizing.

Modern Commentary on Ancient Wisdom

Each week, our Ruach Avodah faculty* examines how we can use Jewish texts as tools for justice in our current era. Here are some of their divrei Torah (commentary on the Torah portion) from the last month.

 
*The Ruach Avodah faculty is made up of rabbis, rabbinical students, and spiritual advisors who provide our Service Corps participants with Jewish programming and ritual experiences, teaching at the synthesis of social justice and Jewish life.

More editions of The Gathering