Spiritual Activism: A Jewish Guide to Leadership and Repairing the World

by Avraham Weiss

"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 I n 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
• 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 …

Genres: Jewish

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I'm part of his target audience. It's well written though.

[Kressel Housman · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Pres. Obama's first book, I began seriously considering getting more politically active, so I considered it an act of Divine Guidance when I came across this book on my library shelves - a guidebook for Orthodox Jewish activists. However, as soon as my husband saw it, he warned me to take it with a grain of salt. Rabbi Avi Weiss is controversial in Orthodox circles, but I don't want to get bogged down in a discussion as to why. I agree with him on some things and will stay away because of others. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have plenty to teach me.

Rabbi Weiss defines activism as "doing something for another," which is pretty broad. He discusses many different demonstrations he has orchestrated over the years - some for Israel, some for Soviet Jewry, and some about Holocaust memorials - and while he convinced me that demonstrations really do make a difference, I really can't see attending any. Prayer vigils are one thing, but jumping fences in protest? I think I'd rather "do for another" by serving meals to the poor and hungry.

My favorite point in the book was that one of the dangers of activism sometimes loses its human face. I considered myself an activist in high school and college, attending plenty of meetings and demonstrations, but it was all about "the cause" and rarely about helping people. The best thing I ever did as an activist was wash pots in a homeless shelter for elderly women. I wish I'd done more of that in my youth.

Rabbi Weiss had many other good points: Jews should protest racism at all times, family should come before activism, and Jews should not demand less for themselves than they would for anyone else. If it's wrong to displace Arabs from their homes, it's wrong to displace Jews from theirs. But I agree with the other GoodReads user who reviewed this book: it was weak on the "how to" end of activism. Luckily, that reviewer cited another book, so that's what I'll look into next. But for a Jew, this book has the advantage of describing "our" causes and mixing in plenty of divrei Torah. Just read it with a grain of salt. Rabbi Weiss is NOT the Agudah.

[Philosophette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the theme of the book, and part I (Foundations of Spiritual Activism) in particular. It was also interesting to read the personal activist stories of Rabbi Weiss, whose opinions and politics are not always in accordance with my own. However, I didn't feel it "fit the bill" as a "Guide" on the topic. If you're looking for a "guide" the best I've read is Michael J. Brown's "Building Powerful Community Organizations: A Personal Guide to Creating Groups that Can Solve Problems and Change the World"

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weiss is an Orthodox Rabbi discussing the practical aspects of engaging in activism from a religious point of view. Much of his work is laudable and he produced one of my favorite religious quotes ever (how the most beautiful of synagogues are those with ramps, because nothing is more lovely than accessibility). And a lot of his political choices are ones I don't agree with. Which is okay. His methodology and strategy are sound.