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

by Weiss, Avraham

• ISBN13: 9781580233552
• ISBN10: 1580233554
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-04-30
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

Perhaps the most fundamental principle in Judaism is that every person is created in the image of God. Just as God gives and cares, so too do we have the natural capacity to be giving and caring. When we work to ignite this divine spark in those around us, and inspire them to do good for others, we engage in spiritual activism.In this provocative and challenging guidebook, renowned activist Rabbi Avi Weiss outlines the principles of spiritual activism and shows you how you can use your own divine spark to join God in partnership to repair this imperfect world. He explains the foundations of spiritual activism as rooted in Torah, the different approaches for such work, and how you can recognize the situations that are appropriate for your spiritual activist efforts.Along with the why and how, Weiss guides you in designing strategies, creating alliances and developing leadership styles that offer the greatest chance of achieving your goals.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
A Parable	p. xiii
Preface	p. xv
What Is Spiritual Activism?	p. xviii
Spiritual Activism Is a Tree of Life	p. xix
Foundations of Spiritual Activism	p. 1
Why Do We Engage in Spiritual Activism? A Partnership between God and Humankind	p. 5
How Do We Engage in Spiritual Activism? A Balance between Public Protest and Quiet Diplomacy	p. 9
When Do We Engage in Spiritual Activism? Action That Benefits the Larger Community	p. 15
Pillars of Spiritual Activism	p. 19
Loving Other Jews: Ahavat Yisrael	p. 23
Acting on Behalf of Other Jews: Pe'ilut Yisrael	p. 27
The Unity of Israel: Achdut Yisrael	p. 31
Nurturing Jewish Spirituality: Ruach Yisrael	p. 35
The Centrality of the State of Israel: Medinat Yisrael	p. 39
Loving Humankind: Ahavat Habriyot	p. 43
Principles of Spiritual Activism	p. 47
Step 1: Choosing the Cause	p. 51
Step 2: Making Partners	p. 75
Step 3: Designing the Strategy	p. 101
Step 4: Leading Other People	p. 127
Step 5: Seeing the Big Picture	p. 151
Every Action Counts	p. 167
The Spiritual Activist's Action Plan	p. 171
Notes	p. 185
Acknowledgments	p. 190
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