Now That the Lulav Has Been Passed

A note from Reb Arthur, Prophetic Envoy

Dear Companions,

I am truly pleased to say in this, my last message from this space as the former Founding Executive Director, that with great confidence and joy I turn over the Lulav symbolizing this office to Rabbi Nate DeGroot.

We have worked together with this moment in mind for almost three years. It is time for a new generation and a new person to cope as Director with the challenges The Shalom Center will face almost at once. Please work with him!

As I think you know, I will be continuing as “Prophetic Envoy” by expressing my own thoughts, like a kind of “Haftarah” -- while Nate will be expressing “Torah” of The Shalom Center’s plans and work.

Please give him your full support and energy.

Shalom,
Arthur

A note from Rabbi Nate, Director

I want to begin with gratitude, to all those who were present for The Great “Save-In,” last Tuesday’s passing of the lulav ceremony. Whether you were there in-person or joined by Zoom, we are grateful to you for lending your spirit, your joy, and your warmth to help co-create such a special and wondrous night. If you weren’t able to attend last Tuesday, have no fear! We will be sharing more from the celebration, including the full recording of the event and Arthur’s conversation with Gloria Steinem, in the days and weeks ahead.

For now, I have included below my remarks from last Tuesday night, in which I tell the story about my journey to becoming Director, articulate our shared vision for The Shalom Center’s next chapter, and express my well wishes and appreciation for Arthur, as he passed the lulav to me and became our Prophetic Envoy, a title he has already embodied so meaningfully for many decades. My hope is that these remarks will serve as an introduction from me to you, as well as a window into the future I’m excited to co-create together.

Watch the video of my remarks by clicking the image below, or read my words by clicking here.

Along with these remarks, I extend a sincere invitation to each of you to reach out, so we can build relationship and begin to lay the foundation for meaningful collaboration in this next chapter. I am excited to meet you by phone or Zoom, so please do get in touch and we’ll find a time to connect.

The Reb Arthur Waskow Legacy Fund

As we announced last Tuesday night, The Shalom Center is preparing to launch the Reb Arthur Waskow Legacy Fund in the weeks ahead. Reb Arthur has said many times that his greatest goal in life is for The Shalom Center to continue to thrive into the future and this Fund will ensure just that.

The Fund will focus on the past, present, and future of Arthur’s legacy and The Shalom Center’s next chapter.

Regarding the past, not only will we be archiving and organizing Arthur’s writings for long term preservation and access, but, in partnership with Tikkun Olam Productions (producers of Israelism), we are making a biopic film about Arthur’s life and legacy. Filming is already underway and we are excited to share the film’s trailer this winter. In the present, this Fund will help us scale actifests across the country, pursuing our renewed mission with adequate resources. And into the future, the Fund will allow us to invest in the next generation of prophetic leadership, following in the tradition of Reb Arthur.

We are thrilled to be launching this campaign, offering a variety of ways for you to give and be involved. And we are grateful in advance to you for joining us in honoring Arthur’s life and legacy, by fulfilling his greatest wish, a thriving future for The Shalom Center.

Festival of (Voting) Booths

We probably don’t need to remind you, but we are now 8 days away from a generationally defining national election. Do you have a few hours to give over the next week to do your part?  Join us and our partners in Pennsylvania for four phonebanking sessions between now and the election. 

Make calls to voters in Pennsylvania - a massively important swing state - who are overlooked by the major political parties with encouragement and a reminder to vote. This is a nonpartisan effort organized by RAC-PA and OnePA 4 All, facilitated through RAC-PA’s Zoom. All you need is a phone and a computer (desktop or laptop). 

Sign up to phonebank here!