Rabbi Michael Lerner

Rabbi Michael Lerner holds a Ph.D. in philosophy (1972) and a second Ph.D. in psychology (1977), is editor of Tikkun www.tikkun.org, executive director of the Institute for Labor and Mental Health, rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue-Without-Walls in Berkeley, chair of the international Network of Spiritual Progressives, and author of 12 books, most recently Revolutionary Love published by the University of California Press (more info about this book at www.tikkun.org/lj). Lerner was recently described by Professor Cornel West of Harvard U. as “one of the most significant prophetic public intellectuals and spiritual leaders of our generation” and Keith Ellison, Attorney General of the State of Minnesota, says: “The caring society is the only realistic path for humanity to survive, and in Revolutionary Love Rabbi Lerner lays out a powerful and compassionate plan for building that caring society.” Talking about his book Revolutionary Love, Gloria Steinem, a founding editor of Ms. Magazine, says “Michael Lerner takes the universal qualities wrongly diminished as ‘feminine’—caring, kindness, empathy, love—and dares to make them guides to a new kind of politics that can challenge the cruelty, competition, and dominance wrongly elevated as ‘masculine.’ Revolutionary Love opens our minds and hearts to a fully human way of living and governing.”

Politics & Society

A Revised Jewish Understanding of the State of Israel

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | March 3, 2023

A compassionate yet intense critic of the State of Israel

people walking on grey concrete floor during daytime

The Social Sources of Trauma

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | November 27, 2022

Trauma impacts nearly everyone in capitalist societies.

Politics & Society

beige concrete building under blue sky during daytime

Shame on the U.S. Supreme Court

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | May 5, 2022

Human rights are being suppressed.

Ecological Transformation

Take Action Now for Planet Earth

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | September 23, 2021

You can personally do something for Earth right now!

Justice for All

Execution Alert: Take Action Now

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | September 1, 2021

Take action against the death penalty now

Israel/Palestine

Congratulations to those Israelis who Replaced Netanyahu

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | June 14, 2021

Netanyahu momentarily out of power: try him for war crimes.

Politics & Society

Hating Jews—the Enduring Curse

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | May 25, 2021

Anti-Semitism is a critical issue for every ethically sensitive human being.

Israel/Palestine

Israel/Palestine Conflict May 2021: What Can You Do?

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | May 20, 2021

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, along with other House members, has introduced a joint resolution of disapproval (JRD) to stop the latest $735 million weapons sale to Israel while it is relentlessly attacking Gaza. Sen. Bernie Sanders is introducing a Senate companion to this resolution. We urgently need you to call your Senators and Representatives and tell them to co-sponsor these resolutions.

Justice for All

Solidarity with Cornel West

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | March 24, 2021

Solidarity with all who seek peace and reconciliation between Israel and Palestine.

Israel/Palestine

The Joint Israel/Palestine Memorial for Victims of Violence

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | March 8, 2021

Israelis and Palestinians unite to mourn victims of Israeli/Palestinian violence.

Justice for All

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mathew Ahmann in a crowd of demonstrators at the March on Washington

To Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. – Be MLK Jr.

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | January 15, 2021

Honoring MLK …and why after his murder, his movement withered.

Homepage Featured Story

Rep Stacey Plaskett hiding from terrorists in her office

A Nation Shocked at the Near Loss of a Democracy that was Always Part Illusory

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | January 7, 2021

Capitalism is a major impediment to democracy. The steps needed to overcome it and begin the path to a true democracy.

Jewish Wisdom

Join our Chanukah Celebration – A Celebration of Liberation and a Challenge to Jewish Chauvinist Nationalism

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | December 8, 2020

Friday night at 5:30 pm (Pacific Time) and/or Saturday 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Chanukah is for everyone.

Politics & Society

people in green and yellow shirt standing near white concrete building during daytime

Call to Action to Block a GOP SCOTUS Pick

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | September 25, 2020

Rabbi Michael Lerner and Rabbi Arthur Waskow have developed a strategy in response to President Trump’s attempt to appoint a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Politics & Society

A memorial for George Floyd in South Minneapolis.

From Buzzflash: What and Whose Violence? My Personal Experience

By Rabbi Michael Lerner | August 28, 2020

Rabbi Michael Lerner in Buzzflash on anger at looters.