Social Activism

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Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 20 of 38
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    A Friendship in the Prophetic Tradition: Abraham Joshua Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr.
    (2018) Heschel, Susannah
    Susannah Heschel, daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, explored the relationship between Rabbi Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite the obvious differences in background, religion and ethnicity, She notes that their bond was forged in the prophetic tradition, which both men shared. As Heschel stated in this article, "[w]hat brought them together were the prophets: the rhetoric of indictment and hope, irony and promise, but above all, the prophetic understanding of God." For both, ethical and political engagement were not a choice, but a responsibility to which we are called by God. Click on the link to read the article.
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    Theological Affinities in the Writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr.
    (Conservative Judaism, 1998) Heschel, Susannah
    An article about the seemingly unlikely friendship and collaboration between Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King. Susannah Heschel, Rabbi Heschel's daughter, argues that the relationship was based on the ethical, prophetic tradition that both men were part of. Professor Heschel is the Eli Black Associate Professor of Jewish Studies a t Dartmouth College. Click on the link to read the article.
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    The Life and Times of Malvina Reynolds, Long Beach's Most Legendary (and Hated) Folk Singer
    (OC Weekly, 2016-08-31) Kelsen, D.
    An article about songwriter, Malvina Reynolds, who was best-known for having written the song "little Boxes." A scathing critique of the conformity of United States suburban culture, the song was made famous by Pete Seeger. It later became the theme song of the television series, "Weeds." Born to socialist Jewish immigrant parents, Reynolds was denied a high school diploma because of her parents' opposition to World War I. She remained active in left-wing causes, and much of her music reflected her political engagement. Click on the link above to read the article.
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    Norman Lear’s early experience of antisemitism made him America’s conscience: The ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Jeffersons’ producer died at 101
    (The Forward, 2023-12-06) Grisar, PJ
    Norman Lear, who produced such pioneering and iconic television series as "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," and "Maude" died at the age of 101 on December 5, 2023. Lear was known for the social consciousness of his work. Lear attributes the birth of his social consciousness to his early experience with antisemitism. In a 2014 interview with The Forward, he described how, at the age of 9, he learned that "people disliked me because of my Jewishness," and stated that that realization profoundly influenced his attitudes about people. "My sympathies, my empathy," he noted, "went out to people who were automatically disliked just because of who they are." In addition to his career in television, Lear was an advocate for liberal causes, founding the progressive group, People for the American Way. Click on the link above to read the article.
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    Barbara Seaman: September 11, 1935–February 27, 2008
    (Jewish Women's Archive, 2021-06-23) Baumgardner, Jennifer
    An article on the life and career of Barbara Seaman, who was a major and pioneering figure in the Second Wave of the women's movement. Her primary focus was on women's health. She fought against the mass prescription of hormone replacement therapy and the high dose birth control pill. her 1969 book, "he Doctors’ Case Against the Pill," prompted Senate hearings on the safety of the birth control pill. She was a pioneer of the "feminist health movement," at a time when "advocated informed consent and patient rights at a time when men (doctors, husbands, legislators, and religious leaders) made decisions about women’s bodies." Her lifelong commitment was to empower women to advocate for themselves with male doctors. Click on the link to read the article.
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    Protest against child labor in a labor parade
    (Bain News Service. Published in: American women : a Library of Congress guide for the study of women's history and culture in the United States / edited by Sheridan Harvey ... [et al.]. Washington : Library of Congress, 2001, p. 347, 1909-05-01) Bain News Service
    "Photograph shows half-length portrait of two girls wearing banners with slogan 'ABOLISH CH[ILD] SLAVERY!!' in English and Yiddish, one carrying American flag; spectators stand nearby. Probably taken during May 1, 1909 labor parade in New York City." --Library of Congress. Click on the icon below to access the photograph.
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    Todd Gitlin, 1943–2022
    (Dissent Magazine, 2022-02-07) Editors of Dissent Magazine
    Tributes to the activist, scholar, writer and president in the 1960s of Students for a Democratic Society, Todd Gitlin, who died in February 2022 in Dissent Magazine, for which he was a longstanding member of the editorial board. Various writers who were friends and colleagues discuss his career as an activist and social critic. Click on the link above to read the article.
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    The Vagina Monologues Performed by Eve Ensler
    (YouTube, 2014-06-18) Ensler, Eve
    A set of 10 YouTube videos of Eve Ensler performing "The Vagina Monologues." Click on the link above to watch the videos. For a discussion of the role and impact of "The Vagina Monologues," see the first link below. To read an article based on an interview with Ensler, click on the second link below.
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    The Eve Ensler Monologue
    (Jewish Women's Archive, 2017-11-20) Rosman, Josephine
    This article is about Eve Ensler's most famous play, "The Vagina Monologues," which was based on a series of interviews Ensler conducted with women about their attitudes toward their vaginas, their bodies and their sexuality. The play, which has been performed internationally in dozens of languages, has become part of the feminist movement. It gives voice to a wide variety of women and serves as a means for women to combat sexual violence. Click on the link above to read the article. For a discussion of an interview with Eve Ensler in "The Froward," click on the first link below. To see "The Vagina Monologues" performed by Eve Ensler, click on the second link below.
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    Eve Ensler's Jewish Dialogue
    (The Forward, 2012-12-11) Horowitz, Simi
    An interview with Eve Ensler, playwright, activist and advocate on behalf of women, who is best known for her play, the "Vagina Monologues." Ensler discusses the enduring relevance of her work and her attitudes towards her Judaism. Click on the link above to read the article. To see "The Vagina Monologues" performed by Eve Ensler, click on the first link below. Click on the second link below to read an article in the "Jewish Women's Archive" about the significance and impact of the play.
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    HowardZinn.org
    (2021) Zinn, Howard
    A Web Site devoted to Howard Zinn. It includes biographical information, archival material from Zinn's papers a various repositories, articles he wrote, interviews with him, information about his many projects, etc. Click on the link above to visit the Web Site. For additional discussion about Zinn and his work, click on the link below.
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    For Historian Howard Zinn, Political Struggle Trumped All Private Concerns
    (Haaretz, 2012-12-17) Thrope, Samuel
    This article discusses the book, "Howard Zinn: A Life on the Left" by Martin Duberman. Zinn was a prominent historian in the 20th century. He was committed to an approach to history that tells the stories of the marginalized and oppressed people, which are overlooked in traditional history. In addition to Zinn's work being a critique of the American political and social structure, he was an engaged political activist. Click on the link above to read the article. For more information about Zinn and for samples of his work, click on the link to his Web Site below.
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    Stanley Aronowitz, longtime labor and civil rights activist, dies at 88
    (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 2021-08-21) Kampeas, Stanley
    "Stanley Aronowitz, a longtime activist and theorist who was hugely influential in the labor and civil rights movements, has died at 88." Click on the link above to access the rest of this biographical obituary.
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    Stanley Aronowitz, Labor Scholar and Activist, Dies at 88
    (The New York Times, 2021-08-23) Roberts, Sam
    "Professor Aronowitz, a social theorist who taught at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, called himself a “working-class intellectual.” He maintained that direct action was a more potent weapon for workers than collective bargaining or conventional politics." Click on the link above to read the rest of this biographical obituary.
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    The Radical Heschel
    (Jewish Currents, 2020-12-23) West, Cornel
    In this article, scholar Cornel West contextualizes the belief of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel within the Jewish prophetic tradition. West describes Heschel as "greatest exemplar of the prophetic legacy of Jerusalem in the most anti-Jewish century of recorded time." It was Heschel's view of Judaism, particularly in the wake of the holocaust, that led him to work closely with Martin Luther King and to march side-by-side with him during the struggle for civil rights in Selma and Birmingham, Alabama. Click on the link above to read the article. Click on the first link below to read Heschel's writings. Click on the following links for other articles about Heschel.
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    Norman Lear’s Work Is Never Done: At UCLA Blueprint event, the iconic TV producer reflects on his career and shares his thoughts on modern America
    (UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, 2018-01-19) Van Dyke, Jonathan
    Norman Lear is best known for creating and producing the landmark television shows, "All in the Family," "Maude," "Good Times" and "The Jeffersons." These shows treated controversial topics such as race relations, politics and abortion. He has always been outspoken about his liberal political views, which he has expressed through philanthropy and political action. This web page is about a gathering at UCLA honoring Lear following the screening of the documentary, “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.” It includes an embedded Q & A with Norman Lear and the audience at the event. Click on the link above to read.
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    The Real Abbie Hoffman
    (Current Affairs, 2020-10-22) Robinson, Nathan J.
    Abbie Hoffman was a radical social activist and revolutionary, who was part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Youth International Party (Yippees). He is best known for being a prominent defendant in the Trial of the Chicago Seven, in which the defendants were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot during the protests of the Democratic National Convention in 1968. Interest in Hoffman was reignited by the release of an Adam Sorkin film, entitled "The Trial of the Chicago Seven" in 2020. This article discusses Abbie Hoffman'/s life, his beliefs, the significance of his radical activities, his life following the trial, and his death at the age of 52 in 1989. Click on the link to read the article.
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    Cycling in Montreal: Q&A with pioneering activist Robert "Bicycle Bob" Silverman
    (Montreal Gazette, 2016-04-15) Riga, Andy
    This article is an interview with Robert Silverman, known as Bicycle Bob. Silverman is credited with being a pioneer who helped to transform Montreal from a city without bike paths or places to park bikes into one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. Montreal boasts a large network of bike paths and BIXI bikes (bikes for rent) throughout the city. Silverman began organizing a campaign for bikes in the mid-1970s, using such established techniques of social activism such as massive demonstrations, as well as civil disobedience. He served a very brief time in jail for painting a bike path on a street in order to protest the lack of bike paths in the city. Click on the link to read the interview.
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    In Selma, sold-out yarmulkes and Shabbat behind bars
    (Jewish Telgraphic Agency (Archive), 2015-01-17) Friedman, Gabe
    This article, from the archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency discusses the role of Jews in the bloody marches in Selma, Alabama in 1965, to press for voting rights for African Americans. Jewish organizations, as well as individual Jews, pressured President Lyndon Johnson to take swift action to introduce legislation to grant voting rights to African American citizens. Many Jews participated in those marches, most famously, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (as is shown in the photograph submitted by his daughter, Susannah Heschel) marched right beside the Reverend Martin Luther King. Heschel was not the only rabbi to participate in the Selma marches, several of whom were arrested. The article describes how some of them conducted Shabbat services inside the Selma Jail. Click on the link to read the article.
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    100 Years On: The Jewish Suffragists Who Helped Women Win the Right to Vote
    (Jewish Journal, 2020-08-14) Anderson, Adrienne Wigdortz
    Although Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth were some of the best known figures in the battle for women's suffrage in the United States, other activists played a significant role in the suffrage movement, including Jewish women. In commemoration the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote, this article details the contributions of Jewish feminist activists, and suggests that their commitment grew out of the importance of the call to engage in tikkun olam (perfecting the world) in Jewish teaching. Click on the link above to read the article.