Me in the Jewish Journal (funny picture); Rabbinic Commitment to Change
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=18177
A rabbi's job includes social justice advocacy; i'm always looking for excuses to take a larger role in community affairs. I"m on the Board of Rabbis now, as well as serving on the Environmental Commission of Assemblymember Karen Bass's district and taking an active role in CLUE's campaign for the Wilshire Plaza Hotel workers. Lately, I have also been quite involved with PJA's Economic Justice Working Group: www.pjalliance.org.
Why aren't more rabbis finding ways to get involved beyond their synagogues? It's an urgent need, as Jews become more and more comfortable with the status quo (as their economic power separates them from those still struggling). Lo Ta'amod al dam reiyecha, do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor, means we cannot remain silent.
All clergy must read Martin Luther King, Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" if they want to function in their roles as clergy.
Sometimes, there are tensions, though, between one's belief system and those in the community with which one works. This is one of the reasons why I waited so long to sign the Jews Against the War petition. When it comes to hotel workers, though, there is virtually no reason to stay away. Management needs to share the profits--and clergy must share the prophets--period. The Century Plaza settled, which is wonderful. Let's celebrate the successes and commit to fixing the failures....
A rabbi's job includes social justice advocacy; i'm always looking for excuses to take a larger role in community affairs. I"m on the Board of Rabbis now, as well as serving on the Environmental Commission of Assemblymember Karen Bass's district and taking an active role in CLUE's campaign for the Wilshire Plaza Hotel workers. Lately, I have also been quite involved with PJA's Economic Justice Working Group: www.pjalliance.org.
Why aren't more rabbis finding ways to get involved beyond their synagogues? It's an urgent need, as Jews become more and more comfortable with the status quo (as their economic power separates them from those still struggling). Lo Ta'amod al dam reiyecha, do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor, means we cannot remain silent.
All clergy must read Martin Luther King, Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" if they want to function in their roles as clergy.
Sometimes, there are tensions, though, between one's belief system and those in the community with which one works. This is one of the reasons why I waited so long to sign the Jews Against the War petition. When it comes to hotel workers, though, there is virtually no reason to stay away. Management needs to share the profits--and clergy must share the prophets--period. The Century Plaza settled, which is wonderful. Let's celebrate the successes and commit to fixing the failures....
posted by Rabbi Klein | 10:14 AM
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