Join Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis as we explore how we can co-create a caring society - one that centers the needs of people and the planet rather than corporate interests. How might our economic, education, legal, and political systems look if guided by love, generosity, empathy, justice, and peace? We discuss nuanced, psycho-spiritual analyses of the political landscape, moving beyond materialist-reductionism and shame. Come imagine with us. Imagine with Us is a project of Tikkun and the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Learn more about us at tikkun.org and spiritualprogressives.org
[1] Original Podcast posted on Judaism Unbound ( https://www.judaismunbound.com/podcast/episode-351-michael-lerner), a digitally-driven, radically open center for education serving as a catalyst for an entirely new era of Judaism.
[2] Lerner has written a number of books over the years — some of our favorites include Jewish Renewal (https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Renewal-Path-Healing-Transformation/dp/0060976756), which you can purchase here (https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Renewal-Path-Healing-Transformation/dp/0060976756), The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060842474/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060842474&ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20), available via this link (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060842474/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060842474&ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20), and Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World (https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520389755/revolutionary-love), available here (https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520389755/revolutionary-love).
[3] In discussing the influence of AIPAC on elections, Lerner references a recent congressional primary in Michigan. For more on this, see “Pro-Israel group pours millions into primary to defeat Jewish candidate,” (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/29/pro-israel-lobby-aipac-andy-levin-democratic-races) a piece in the Guardian written by Chris McGreal. You can also check out a piece in Tikkun, entitled “‘Anti-Israel’ and ‘Pro-Israel’ in Michigan Election,” (https://www.tikkun.org/anti-israel-and-pro-israel-in-michigan/) written by Ronald Aronson.
[4] Learn more about Jim Wallis, a progressive Christian theologian that Lerner references, via this link (https://sojo.net/biography/jim-wallis).
[5] For the article (https://www.tikkun.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/31.3-Tikkun-Summer-2016.pdf) Lerner references, published in Tikkun as the first written by a gay and Orthodox rabbi — under a pseudonym — click here and skip to pages 41-42 (https://www.tikkun.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/31.3-Tikkun-Summer-2016.pdf). The piece was written by Steven Greenberg, initially under the pseudonym Yaakov Levado, and is entitled “Gayness and God: Wrestlings of an Orthodox Rabbi.” (https://www.tikkun.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/31.3-Tikkun-Summer-2016.pdf)
[6] Sign up to attend regular Torah Study (via Zoom) with Lerner’s community here! (http://www.beyttikkun.org/article.php/torahstudysign)
28 Jul 2021
A Hopeful Sign in Troubled Times
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we share a story that can provide hope and inspiration and discuss the challenges we face in our efforts to move beyond individual acts of goodness to acts of societal transformation.
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
13 May 2021
Violence in Israel/Palestine
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict and rising violence in Israel/Palestine.
Ha’aretz Article (https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-netanyahu-is-leading-israel-into-civil-war-between-jews-and-palestinians-1.9797672?fbclid=IwAR0W5ubqTm4Gzz7vH9u2xvXrO4yiRHaLScI2wbAm1Zj_9ZvbipA3gekzsiA)
You can learn more and register for the JCC East Bay Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (where Rabbi Lerner and Cat Zavis will be teaching) here (https://www.jcceastbay.org/shavuot).
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
21 Apr 2021
Anti-Racist Struggles After Minneapolis Guilty Verdict
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we celebrate the guilty verdicts in Minneapolis even as we mourn ongoing police murders of African Americans. The same day Chauvin was convicted, a 16 yr old African American girl in Columbus, OH was shot dead by police. Guilty verdicts are not enough to achieve the fundamental changes needed in the criminal justice system and to end racism in our society.
8 Apr 2021
Fascism Rising: Lessons from the Holocaust
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we discuss the rise of fascist forms of nationalism and a strategy to tackle it before it controls the United States and other countries.
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
10 Mar 2021
Celebrating the Covid Relief Bill and Dreaming of More
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, Celebrating the Covid Relief Bill and Dreaming of More, we recognize the importance of celebrating the covid relief bill that will provide desperately needed funds to Americans at this time and speak to what we believe is needed going forward.
To learn more about our Liberation Seder (everyone is welcome!), go to: www.beyttikkun.org (http://www.beyttikkun.org/).
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
16 Feb 2021
Unity Post-Impeachment?
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we discuss the failure of the Senate to convict Trump, Biden’s call for unity, and more!
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
3 Feb 2021
Creating a Caring Government
In this episode, Creating a Caring Government, we discuss the idea presented in Revolutionary Love that government should be a manifestation of our care for one another. One of the supporters of Tikkun magazine and Network of Spiritual Progressives wrote to me that she was struck by the false dichotomy that is presented to us about either protecting people's health (stay at home orders, social distancing, etc.) or protecting the economy if, as you say in your book the "government should be the vehicle through which we, the people of our country, demonstrate that we care for each other", what would that look like in this time? How might the Biden era and Democratic (effective) majorities in the House and Senate embody this approach?
We also want to let you know of two opportunities to get involved with our work. (1) You can join Cat’s upcoming training for Spiritual Activists. Click here (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/training) to learn more. (2) Become a book group facilitator for Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love. Click here (https://www.tikkun.org/blog/2021/01/22/we-invite-you-to-facilitate-a-revolutionary-love-book-group/) to learn more.
We hope you enjoy our podcast. Please rate and follow us on your favorite podcast platform and share it on social media and with your friends. It’s an easy way for folks to hear our ideas and learn more about our work and get involved if they want. If there is a topic you’d like us to discuss or question you’d like us to answer, please email cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) with the subject heading: Imagine with Us.
14 Jan 2021
After Last Week's Coup Attempt
In this episode, After Last Week’s Coup Attempt, we discuss various strategies for progressives after last week’s coup attempt.
We hope you enjoy it. Please rate and follow us on your favorite podcast platform and share it on social media and with your friends. It’s an easy way for folks to hear our ideas and learn more about our work and get involved if they want. If there is a topic you’d like us to discuss or a question you’d like us to answer, please email cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) with the subject heading: Imagine with Us.
24 Dec 2020
Dream Big: Imagine a Truly Transformed and Loving World
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, in honor of the holiday season, we have decided to dream big and imagine a truly transformed and loving world. We invite you to imagine with us!
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/)
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove)
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
17 Dec 2020
The Liberatory and Spiritual Meaning of the Holidays
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we discuss the liberatory and spiritual meanings of Chanukah and Christmas and why as spiritual activists we think drawing on these messages is important in our work to heal and transform the world. But unfortunately in this mass capitalist culture, those meanings get obscured and replaced with the mantra of buy, buy, buy. And that message is particularly painful this year in the midst of a pandemic that has crushed even the insufficient financial resources for tens of millions of people in our society.
Tikkun Magazine (http://www.tikkun.org/) - www.tikkun.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives (http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/) (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org.
Email: cat@spiritualprogressives.org (mailto:cat@spiritualprogressives.org) (subject heading - Imagine with Us)
Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love (http://www.tikkun.org/revlove) at www.tikkun.org/revlove
Emma’s Revolution (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/) - www.emmasrevolution.com (http://www.emmasrevolution.com/)
10 Dec 2020
Steps Toward Overcoming Racism
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we build on our discussion from last week on grieving and look at it through the lens of the ongoing police brutality and murders of black people. What can we do to challenge racism? How can we educate white people? And how do we avoid blaming and shaming people so they can hear the ways that racism harms them as well?
4 Dec 2020
Grieving the Great Psychological and Spiritual Deprivation
Welcome to Imagine with Us! In this episode, we discuss how we can acknowledge and responsibly steward our grief to give birth to healing. Between COVID illness and loss, distance, loneliness, economic stress, blatant injustice, and environmental catastrophe, so many of us are experiencing distress. The longer we are deprived of psychological and spiritual care, the more we prevent grief from serving as a foundation for the healing transformation of our world.
20 Nov 2020
Why aren’t more people progressive? Part 2
In this episode, "Why aren't more people progressive? Part 2", we step back and look at the dynamics of human life in the past 10,000 years that continue to shape how we understand our options for achieving security, safety, and peace. We then move to a discussion of the importance of building a social change movement that moves social energy from fear to hope and builds a loving community so more people are inspired to participate and join us.
12 Nov 2020
Why aren’t more people progressive? Part 1
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. We’re excited to bring you our first episode in which we discuss how it is that over 70 million people voted for a candidate that so many more people deem to be both corrupt and frighteningly dangerous. How can we understand the lure of hate-filled politics beyond the narrow analysis that “all his supporters are racist or stupid” and respond to this moment with empathy, revolutionary love, and justice so we can build a future that embraces us all?
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