ARTS & CULTURE

Righteous Indignation: A Jewish Call for Justice

Edited by Rabbi Or N. Rose, Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, and Margie Klein
(Jewish Lights Publishing, 2008)

"Righteous Indignation reminds us of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's observation that individual spiritual devotion and social justice are partners."
—Rabbi David Ellenson (Foreword)

Can the teachings of Judaism provide a sacred framework for tikkun olam—repairing the world? In Righteous Indignation, leading rabbis, intellectuals, and activists explore the relationship between Judaism and social justice, drawing on ancient and modern sources of wisdom, from a wide range of perspectives. The contributors argue passionately and persuasively that American Jewry must move beyond occasional service action programs and dedicate itself to systemic change in the United States, Israel, and throughout the world. SocialAction.com interviewed one of the book's editors, Jo Ellen Green Kaiser, who explains why she believes social justice is a Jewish imperative.

A Visual Delight: Jewish Women Artists Promote Social Justice

“If art is not for the people, who is it for?”
—Audrey Flack, painter and sculptor

The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute’s 16-month desktop calendar (September 2007 through December 2008), Creating Art, Promoting Change, features the work of talented female Jewish artists from around the world, along with their inspiring biographies. Collectively and globally, they embody the spirit of social activism, representing in their vibrant art contemporary issues such as feminism, the fragility of the environment, and tensions between secular and Jewish law. Order a copy now and help promote change!

Remembering Grace Paley (1922-2007)
Celebrated Jewish Social Activist and Writer

“Literature is the memory of humanity”
—Isaac Bashevis Singer

In spite of her relatively slender body of work, Grace Paley—an ardent, lifelong social and political activist—was considered one of America’s premier contemporary short story writers. She portrayed ordinary characters, especially Jewish immigrants who spoke Yiddish/Russian/broken English, with pitch-perfect dialogue, simplicity, wit, and compassion, “expressing a whole life in one line,” said writer E.L. Doctorow.

Judaism and Justice

Exclusive excerpts from Rabbi Sid Schwarz’s new book, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World (Jewish Lights, 2006) The last installment is: The Purpose of Religion (pps. 258-260)

Celebrate Our Heritage! May is Jewish American Heritage Month

Plans are underway to commemorate the second annual Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), as designated by a presidential proclamation last year. The goal of JAHM is to educate the larger community about the American Jewish community’s many significant contributions to the history, heritage, and culture of the United States. For example, the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is hosting free programs, speakers, and films to celebrate JAHM, while the Jewish Women’s Archive is providing resources that highlight Jewish aspects and contributions to the American experience. As of 2006, there were 6.4 American Jews.

JAHM is the perfect time to visit the National Museum of American Jewish History, located on historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, to further explore the history of Jews in America. One of the museum’s goals is to inspire people of all backgrounds to appreciate the diversity of the American experience.

Barbra Streisand announces first US tour since 1994

Singer Barbra Streisand announced her first U.S. tour in over a decade on June 8, 2006, saying that she planned to play 20 concerts in October and November to raise money for charitable causes.

"The increasingly urgent need for private citizen support to combat dangerous climate change, along with education and health issues was the prime reason I decided to tour again," Streisand said in a statement announcing the tour.

“The Road to Guantanamo”

Roadside Attractions – the company that brought you Eytan Fox’s “Walk on Water,”—“The Road to Guantanamo” is the terrifying first-hand account of three British citizens, known as the “Tipton Three,” who were held for two years without charges in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Part documentary, part dramatization, the film chronicles the sequence of events that led from the trio setting out from Tipton in the British Midlands for a wedding in Pakistan, to their crossing the Afghanistan border just as the U.S. began its bombing campaign, to their eventual capture by the Northern Alliance and their imprisonment in Camp X-Ray and later at Camp Delta in Guantanamo.

Rachel Corrie on Stage

Novelist Jerome Richard believes that Rachel Corrie, the young woman who in 2003 stood in front of an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza strip and was killed by it, was sincere in her belief that she could help protect Palestinians from a house demolition, and admirable in her sympathies. His concern is the uses being made of her sacrifice.

Should My Name is Rachel Corrie Be Staged as Part of a Summer 2007 Theatre Festival?

My Name is Rachel Corrie is considered by many to be an anti-Israel play. At best, it is highly controversial. Now it going to be produced 17 times during a contemporary drama summer festival in West Virginia. Will it stir up anti-Semitic responses and feelings? Or will it lead to a balanced discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Listen to songs about tikkun olam (repairing the world) from Babapalooza

Im Ain Ani Li, written and performed by Craig Taubman, Justin Stein and Jared Stein
Olam Hesed Yibaneh, from the album “Yesh Tikvah/Our Hope”, performed by Susan Kates. Music by Ralph Levitan. Words from Psalm 89:2-3
Shalom Baolam, from the album “Tov”, music and lyrics by Rick Recht.

Full credit information and lyrics are available online at www.babaganewz.com/teachers

Great Small Works

Whose productions seek to renew, cultivate, and strengthen the spirits of their audiences, promoting theatre as a model for participating in democracy.

Bonnie Greenberg

A storyteller of uncommon depth. To listen to one of Bonnie’s stories on the importance of social action, Click here for Real audio or Click here for MP3.

Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School

Produced by Keshet; Sponsored by Jewish Women’s Archives

Hineini chronicles Shulamit Izen's efforts to raise awareness about gay and lesbian issues at the New Jewish High School (now called Gann Academy). Hineini tells the story of a whole community inspired and changed by one girl's courage.

OneMovement

Founded by Akiva Gersh, is a collection of teachings and links to teachings about Jewish spirituality and tikkun olam. Click here for Akiva Gersh’s music web site.