The Reb Arthur Waskow Legacy Fund is launched!
We are raising $500,000 to nourish the prophetic movement of Jewish sacred justice that Arthur has spent his life cultivating, while also giving all of us an opportunity to express our blessings, gratitude, love, and affirmations for Arthur while he can fully receive it.
Waskow’s Revolution: Jewish radicals to radical Jews
For me and my peers, it has always been a given that Judaism has something to say about the most important political issues of our day. That Judaism itself offers an alternative sacred paradigm that challenges the status quo. But it hasn’t always been that way.
On the April 16th Legacy Fund Launch Call, Arthur, Cherie Brown, and Mordechai Liebling powerfully reflected on how - before Arthur - very few Jews were engaged in justice work as Jews. While there were Jewish activists, their Judaism and their activism remained separate and even at odds.
The stunning revolution and contribution of Arthur, Cherie, Mordechai, and their peers, was to discard that misguided bifurcation and exclaim the truth that Judaism has always had prophetic justice within its purview. They began to embody and inspire a Judaism that demanded the fusion of justice and spirit, ritual and action, song and risk. Born amongst Jewish radicals they became radical Jews, and took a whole people with them.
We launched the Reb Arthur Waskow Legacy Fund because we need Arthur’s brand of prophetic Judaism in the world today and the world to come, continued in his legacy and transformed in his honor.
On our new Legacy Fund webpage, you will find:
Our Legacy Fund donation form, where you can invest in prophetic Judaism by making a meaningful contribution to The Shalom Center.
A form for you to submit a written blessing to Arthur, which we’ll add to a blessing book.
A link for you to record yourself saying hello to Arthur, which we’ll compile into a tribute video.
The teaser for our forthcoming biopic film chronicling the life and legacy of Arthur.
A music video for Hazzan Jessi Roemer’s Psalm 24, which features Arthur’s preaching.
A recording of the April 16th launch call.
Background on this campaign.
And more to come!
If you have given in past years, please consider giving a meaningful amount more this year as part of this campaign. If you have never given, now is your chance! And once you’re done contributing, please do take a few minutes to share the Legacy Fund page with anyone in your life who dreams of a better and more just future, who understands that Judaism and justice are linked, and who themselves is standing on the shoulders of the generations that came before them, helping to split the seas of Jewish sacred justice for us and our descendants.
And then, once you’ve given, please share some blessings with Arthur so he knows how much you care about him and about the impact he’s had on your life!
With blessings, gratitude, and humility,
-Rabbi Nate