“Avi doesn’t only talk the
talk, or even walk the walk. He writes the instruction manual.
This book shows a way, perhaps not the only way but one
indispensable way, of being an activist on behalf of the Jewish
people. Read it and learn.”
—from the Foreword by Alan M. Dershowitz
In this age of perpetual strife and
conflict, we need now more than ever to find out how to be
proactive in repairing our broken world. Rabbi Avraham
Weiss’s provocative and challenging guidebook will show
you just that—and so much more.
With easy-to-follow steps, accessible
explanations of the principles of spiritual activism and an
exploration into the foundations of spiritual activism as
rooted in the Torah, Weiss offers more than simply a user
manual—he provides an in-depth approach to changing your
role in the world.
Topics include:
Why, How and When Do We Engage in
Spiritual Activism?
Choosing the Cause
Making Partners
Designing the Strategy
Leading Other People
Seeing the Big Picture
And more …
“Writing with great ethical conviction; commitment to moral principles; integrity; courageousness; and deep, profound, and sensitive love.... This important, brilliant, visionary, and insightful book should not be ignored.”
—Library Journal starred review
“One of the most interesting books
on the last forty years of American Jewish life that I have
read…. A rare combination of passionate love of the
Jewish people and love of ethics and goodness.”
—Dennis
Prager, nationally syndicated radio
talk-show host and columnist,
and bestselling author
“A testimony to the power of
conscience, courage and compassion. Breathes with the love of
the Jewish people, drawn from the spirit of Jewish moral
sensibility and the energy of Jewish ethical
activity.”
—Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis, Valley Beth
Shalom
“Clearly written, easy to understand, and of interest to students, scholars and the general public.”
—Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter
“Through his own example, Weiss encourages readers to take action on unpopular issues, even when winning seems impossible.... [and] offers helpful guidance toward choosing and pursuing issues.”
—Forward
“A serious treatise on activism.
Outlines the what, the why and the how—how to be an
activist, how to root our activism in our faith, how we might
begin to emulate the life choices Rabbi Weiss has made in order
to protect the Jewish people and improve our future….
Immensely rewarding.”
—Ruth
Messinger, president, American
Jewish World Service
“An instructive book for readers of any tradition.... Inspirational.... Highly recommended.”
—Congregational Libraries Today
“Masterfully weaves rich insights
from Jewish text and tradition with the powerful moral and
political lessons from [Weiss’s] unparalleled experiences
as one of American Jewry’s most courageous, inspiring
and, yes, controversial spiritual activists.”
—Rabbi
David Saperstein, director,
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
“[Weiss’s] principles of spiritual activism … are worthy of study and consideration by rabbis, Jewish educators, Jewish communal workers, Jewish leaders, and anyone who is on the path to leadership roles.”
—Jewish Book World
“Proves [Weiss] is a pioneer not
only in practicing activism but also in developing the
theoretical foundations of the role of activism in organized
Jewish community life. A must read for all who want to
understand the power of activism to effect change.”
—Natan
Sharansky
“Profound and insightful….
Responds to the central challenges to the Jewish people from
the latter part of the twentieth century.”
—Rabbi
Saul J. Berman, director,
Continuing Rabbinic Education at
Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
Rabbinical School
“Describes the foundations of spiritual activism and delineates its principles.... It is hard not to be moved.”
—Publishers Weekly
Rabbi Avraham Weiss, named one of the fifty most influential rabbis in
America by Newsweek magazine, is national president of The
Coalition for Jewish Concerns—Amcha. He is also the
senior rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and is
founder and president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the modern
and open Orthodox Rabbinical School in New York.
Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at
Harvard Law School and author of many books.