Jewish Justice Resources
Social justice has been a pillar of Jewish tradition, history, and culture for thousands of years. Understanding the various ways that social justice is Jewish is complex and exciting. The resources below provide introductory perspectives on Jewish social justice. They are good starting points for anyone trying to understand the basic definitions of Jewish social justice.
These are evergreen resources; while the dates may be old, the content is still relevant overall and important for understanding what is Jewish about social justice.
What is Jewish about social justice? A collection of resources
What’s Jewish About Social Justice? - a four-hour curriculum from Avodah, created for their Service Corps Members
Jewish Articulations of Social Justice - a compilation of texts that describe seven articulations of Jewish social justice, created by Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, for their Selah Leadership Program
Hineni ("Here I Am") - a video showcasing the Jewish imperative for justice through a speech from President Barack Obama, created by the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable
How Not to be a Shmuck: A Two-Part Guide to Behavior When Serving - a discussion guide from Repair the World
Speak Torah to Power video series and discussion guide from Avodah
A number of resources from the Avodah Institute for Social Change
Defining "Jewish Social Justice" - source sheet from Repair the World’s Jewish Social Justice Beit Midrash for defining Jewish social justice that includes a good overview of learning in chevruta (pairs)
What’s Jewish About Justice? - table tent signs created by Jewish Funds for Justice, posted on the Jewish Women’s Archive website
Resources on the history and context of the Jewish social justice sector
Jewish Social Change in the 21st Century (2013) - a booklet created by the Roundtable and the Nathan Cummings Foundation that gives a broad overview of the history of Jewish social justice in the US.
Jews and The Civil Rights Movement - texts and a discussion guide from Repair the World
Visioning Justice and the American Jewish Community (2008) - a report commissioned by the Nathan Cummings Foundation that assessed the Jewish social justice field and identified key strategic directions for engaging more American Jews more effectively in issues of social and economic justice.
Smashing Idols and Other Prescriptions for Jewish Continuity (1994) - an essay written by Leonard Fein and published by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, "Fein calls for renewed attention to the quality of the community as a nurturing home for its members and for a more articulate and sturdier devotion to the work of tikkun olam, mending the world, on the part of the community."
Racial Justice is Jewish social justice and we have a whole page dedicated to it! Click here