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Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change
WINNER OF THE 2016 JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL AWARD FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWISH LIFE AND PRACTICE
An inspiring and accessible guide, drawn from Jewish wisdom, for building the inner qualities necessary to work effectively for social justice.
The world needs changing—and you’re just the person to do it! It’s a matter of cultivating the inner resources you already have. If you are serious about working for social justice and change, this book will help you bring your most compassionate, wise, and courageous self to the job.
Bringing positive social change to any system takes deep self-awareness, caring, determination, and long-term commitment. But polarization, the slow pace of change, and internal conflicts among activists and organizations often leads to burnout and discouragement among the very people needed to make a difference. Changing the World from the Inside Out distills centuries of Jewish wisdom about cultivating and refining the inner life into an accessible program for building the qualities necessary to accomplish sustainable change. Through explorations of deep motivation, inner-drive, and traits like trust and anger, this book engages the reader in a journey of self-development and transformation, demonstrating that sustainable activism is indeed a spiritual practice. Jaffe offers accessible and meaningful guidance for this journey—with exercises, contemplations, and discussion points that can be used individually or in a group.
An inspiring and accessible guide, drawn from Jewish wisdom, for building the inner qualities necessary to work effectively for social justice.
The world needs changing—and you’re just the person to do it! It’s a matter of cultivating the inner resources you already have. If you are serious about working for social justice and change, this book will help you bring your most compassionate, wise, and courageous self to the job.
Bringing positive social change to any system takes deep self-awareness, caring, determination, and long-term commitment. But polarization, the slow pace of change, and internal conflicts among activists and organizations often leads to burnout and discouragement among the very people needed to make a difference. Changing the World from the Inside Out distills centuries of Jewish wisdom about cultivating and refining the inner life into an accessible program for building the qualities necessary to accomplish sustainable change. Through explorations of deep motivation, inner-drive, and traits like trust and anger, this book engages the reader in a journey of self-development and transformation, demonstrating that sustainable activism is indeed a spiritual practice. Jaffe offers accessible and meaningful guidance for this journey—with exercises, contemplations, and discussion points that can be used individually or in a group.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2016
12 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 1, 2017
Rabbi David Jaffe is a mensch, a Torah scholar, and a great writer. All three come through in his book. Jaffe begins by sharing his personal story. He had a secular Jewish upbringing, and started to walk the spiritual path in college after a close friend died of leukemia. It led to a spiritual awakening that eventually brought him to Israel to learn the teachings of the followers of Rabbi Nacham of Breslov. That name might not mean anything to you, but he was a Rabbi who died in 1810 who emphasized joy, yearning, finding the good in oneself and others among other things. And this path led Jaffe to Mussar.
This book does an amazing job of explaining both Mussar and other Jewish teachings in a way that an everyday person can understand. What differentiates "Changing the World" from other Mussar books is the focus on social justice. Jaffe uses stories from his time as a community organizer, as well as other stories from social justice leaders to explain different aspects of Mussar practice.
Ultimately, if we want to change the world, we first need to change ourselves. If you are a social activist, looking to strengthen your resolve or overcome those things inside holding you back, this is a great book for you. And if you are on the spiritual path, the explanations of Mussar and real life examples will serve as both inspiration and a roadmap on your journey of personal transformation. I highly recommend that you buy it.
This book does an amazing job of explaining both Mussar and other Jewish teachings in a way that an everyday person can understand. What differentiates "Changing the World" from other Mussar books is the focus on social justice. Jaffe uses stories from his time as a community organizer, as well as other stories from social justice leaders to explain different aspects of Mussar practice.
Ultimately, if we want to change the world, we first need to change ourselves. If you are a social activist, looking to strengthen your resolve or overcome those things inside holding you back, this is a great book for you. And if you are on the spiritual path, the explanations of Mussar and real life examples will serve as both inspiration and a roadmap on your journey of personal transformation. I highly recommend that you buy it.
August 2, 2017
I had been interested in this read for quite a long time. The link between Jewish thinking and social activism has been longstanding and evident, and Rabbi David Jaffe does a great job explicating the concepts that link these two domains. Additionally, he offers a guide for exploration and discussion to put these changes into effect. I reflected as I began the book that the link between Judaism and social justice and activism, isn't just located in our faith. I have many friends who are deeply rooted in their Christianity, and they travel the world to help others. To raise money, set up programming, provide interfaith communal service both locally and abroad. I think folks who are thinking spiritually, are thinking politically and communally. Its a by product of knowing we are one,
The concepts in the book are interesting and each could be its own lecture, course, or discussion. In fact, that was my primary thought about the book. That I would love to take his class or course, or hear a lecture. In book form, I think I took in less, than I would have if this was one shot thing, or ongoing study group. I admit it was also fun to hear stories about well known figures in Boston. David Jaffe is well regarded in the community here. He has some important things to say about using our communal philosophy, our spirituality, and our joy, to make impact and change. This book allows others who don't have the same kind of access to hear his ideas. For me, I think a lecture or a course would be inspiring.
The concepts in the book are interesting and each could be its own lecture, course, or discussion. In fact, that was my primary thought about the book. That I would love to take his class or course, or hear a lecture. In book form, I think I took in less, than I would have if this was one shot thing, or ongoing study group. I admit it was also fun to hear stories about well known figures in Boston. David Jaffe is well regarded in the community here. He has some important things to say about using our communal philosophy, our spirituality, and our joy, to make impact and change. This book allows others who don't have the same kind of access to hear his ideas. For me, I think a lecture or a course would be inspiring.
March 14, 2017
An excellent blend of spiritual autobiography, Mussar, Jewish values and the importance of activism. Well done Rabbi David Jaffe
October 2, 2017
One of the very bet books on Judaism, spirituality, self improvement and social activism, all rolled into one.
May 18, 2021
Practical and relatable, very helpful in my Jewish learning journey and self-reflection and improvement. Will continue to revisit and recommend. Writing style a bit wordy at times.
October 31, 2016
I won this in a contest so I read it from a non Jewish perspective and I really enjoyed it and found it inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews