Rabbi Lerner’s 80th Birthday Celebration

Rabbi Cat Zavis, along with the Boards of Tikkun and Beyt Tikkun are excited to celebrate Rabbi Michael Lerner’s 80th birthday with you! As you well know, for the majority of his life (almost 60 years), he has dedicated his life’s work and energy to social justice and building a world centering love, care, kindness, generosity, compassion, and justice. 

His book Jewish Renewal became a national bestseller and played a role in making the Jewish renewal movement become an exciting location for young Jews who had been alienated by the Jewish establishment. His book, The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right showed how an ethical and spiritual movement could attract many who had abandoned left leaning politics. As editor of Tikkun magazine, from its beginning 38 years ago to the present, Rabbi Lerner has consistently opposed Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, even when doing so was considered anti-semitic by many otherwise progressive or liberal Jews. His conception of “The Politics of Meaning” in 1993 was endorsed by Hillary Clinton until Bill Clinton’s White House realized that he was challenging the bottom line of corporate capitalism. In the past 20 years, he has focused on challenging all forms of racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism, aligning with African-American author and college professor Cornel West, both in the publication of a book together (Jews and Blacks) and as founding co-chairs (along with Sister Joan Chittister) of the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Yet it was in his organizing of the Network of Spiritual Progressives and as Rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue-without-Walls that he has found his greatest satisfactions.

We invite you to join us either in person or online (details below) on Saturday, Feb. 11th. Let’s celebrate the ways he has contributed personally to many of us, as well as to the world. During the celebration, we invite you to share a story, teaching, or anything else that continues to resonate for you regarding how any of Rabbi Michael’s teachings or way of being continues to influence your life. You can do so whether you join us in person or online. If you are unable to join us, please click on this link to share a story, teaching, or anything else that continues to resonate for you.

Schedule [All times are Pacific Time Zone, click here to find your time zone]:

9:30 – 10:15 am – Shabbat Celebration of the Universe

10:15 – 11:15 am – Torah Study: The 10 Speech Acts (aka, 10 Commandments)

11:15 – till end – Celebration of Michael’s life

Zoom Registration – click here

In-Person Registration – click here