2011: Rabbi Denise Eger

Repairing the World: Putting Our Faith into Action
 
Rabbi Denise Eger is founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, Calif., and President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Eger believes that activism is an important part of her rabbinate, and has received local and national recognition for her dedication and action.

Join us for an exploration of Tikkun Olam and the Jewish approach to social justice. From the Torah’s instructions to be holy by being engaged with the world, to the prophetic call to pursue justice, we’ll examine what Judaism teaches us about how to put our faith into action, how to reconcile multiple positions on an issue, and how we Jewishly engage in social action in our own lives.

These five sessions will explore the nature of Tikkun Olam and the Jewish ideals of social justice. How do we put our faith into action in the world today? How do we reconcile a multiplicity of voices on an issue? How do we authentically come to find the Jewish ideals in a social justice issue? What are the texts that push us toward greater grounding in Jewish thought and ideals to embrace the prophetic call to justice?

Session 1: Introduction to the notion of Tikkun Olam and prophetic Judaism. Looking at the mystical texts that provide the heart of the idea of Tikkun Olam and in the liturgy too and the voice of the prophets.

Session 2 – I am Holy, You Be Holy: A look at Leviticus 19 for the ways in which God calls us to be engaged in the world. What are the values represented by Leviticus 19? What is holiness according to this text?

Session 3 – Putting our faith into action: What makes an issue Jewish? We will also focus on pluralism, acknowledging multiple voices on a single topic.

Session 4: A personal look at the spirituality of social justice involvement, including a moderated discussion with local rabbis.

Session 5: Wrap-up discussion on social justice in our own lives; tzedakah vs. gemilut chassidim; and a review of Maimonides on tzedakah.