Culture, Justice, Religion

Justice, Justice – Even in Washington Heights

There’s a new organization out there and it’s called Uri L’Tzedek, Awaken to Justice. Started by three YCT students, Aaron Finkelstein, Mike Schultz, and Shmuly Yanklowitz along with the generous support of a Herbert Lieberman Award this new organization aims to inspire the Orthodox community to take a more profound and active role with regards to social justice. Tomorrow night, Uri L’Tzedek will be hosting the first of what it hopes will be a series of batei midrash dedicated to issues of social concern, and this one will be focused on immigration.
What: Tzedek Beit Midrash
When: October 15, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Where: Mount Sinai Jewish Center, 135 Bennet Ave (corner of 187th St), NY, NY
For more information, contact Aaron Finkelstein

18 thoughts on “Justice, Justice – Even in Washington Heights

  1. psssshhhhhhh. . .
    what’s especially promising about this, is that YCT folks can influence the Ortho community (well, the part of which that accepts them) in ways that non-Ortho organizations can’t.
    I wish I could go to that Beit Midrash. keep us posted on this!

  2. Is the focus on bringing texts and readings thereof that have formerly been reserved for non-Orthodox communities to the Orthodox community, on attempting to goad the Orthodox community to engage in social justice by playing to their sense of halakhic obligation by showing halakhic texts that appear to demand engagement in social justice, or on using the texts as a springboard to discuss the tensions at play when attempting to determine the extent of one’s responsibility and/or ability to influence change in various arenas?

  3. Wolfman:
    For halakhic texts that relate to a part of the larger issue of engagement in social justice, texts that halakhically observant or at least halakhically aware individuals [and institutions] should take seriously, take a look at that reading list I mentioned above.
    >> Arieh

  4. Could somebody clarify what is being alluded to by the term “social justice”? Are we talking about the remediation of an actual specific injustice, or is it just a friendlier way of saying “Leftism”?

  5. Arieh,
    Thanks — that’s quite a list; perhaps a separate one with primary sources would be helpful?
    I’m still curious what the curriculum and methodology of these batei midrash will be. The existence of suggestive texts is non-determinative; I’m interested in how those texts are going to be read (and towards what ends), particularly against the background of other texts and extratextual sources (personal experience, ideology, etc.).

  6. Wolfman:
    Your welcome – glad to know that one’s work is appreciated, and of use. As to a separate one with primary sources, yes, that would be helpful. If you or anyone else “here” would be interested in helping compile one, just get in touch with me.
    As to the curriculum and methodology of these batei midrash, others will have to answer your thoughtful questions / comments.
    With best wishes,
    >> Arieh Lebowitz mailto:[email protected]
    >> Communications Director & Program Associate
    >> Jewish Labor Committee
    >> 25 East 21st Street
    >> New York, NY 10010
    >> t 212-477-0707 f 212-477-1918

  7. Could somebody clarify what is being alluded to by the term “social justice”? Are we talking about the remediation of an actual specific injustice, or is it just a friendlier way of saying “Leftism”?
    Gee, that’s a real brainteaser, isn’t it? Well, let’s see if this one’s any easier: “Does “family values” refer to the realization of any value in particular, or is it just a euphemism to make the rancid stink of Republicanism a little less unpalatable to those who retain a sense of smell?”
    Here’s a thought: people that subscribe to a particular viewpoint tend to use positive terms to describe the objectives their policies are intended to bring about. Like, say, “social justice,” for example. Or – and you really need to pay close attention now – “family values.” Get it? See how that works? No bias, no propaganda, just a description of the goals they want to achieve.
    Everyone knows exactly what “social justice” means, and that a seething contempt for it is what motivates an adherence to Republicanism. If it concerns you – as it damn well should – that the overwhelming majority of Jews are revolted by everything you stand for, how about if you try convincing them of the wisdom or plausibility of your beliefs, and stop the goddamn whining and terminal self-pity about how “biased” everybody is.

  8. David, are you this obnoxious every time you hear a question you don’t like?
    My question remains: Is Uri L’tzedek talking about a specific identifiable event of injustice that warrants remediation, or a broad political program? Is “injustice” being used in its authentic sense–i.e. a person has been wronged by another person and justice has not been imposed–or as a euphemism? I’d love to hear from anyone who was there.

  9. David, are you this obnoxious every time you hear a question you don’t like?
    Yup; every single time I encounter a “question” that reflects the contempt and boundless entitlement of sneering Republican propaganda.
    My question remains
    Bullshit. Your question doesn’t remain, your question has been transformed. Now you want to know if the organization is concerned with a “specific identifiable event of injustice . . . or a broad political program?” That would have been just fine; but that isn’t what you asked. What you asked was whether the concern was a specific injustice or a friendlier way of saying Leftism.” You want to pretend there’s no difference? Fine. But don’t expect others to be so stupid so as not to notice.
    I’d love to hear from anyone who was there.
    What possible reason do you need to hear from someone “who was there?” How about if you simply base your observations on the description of the organization’s agenda outlined by JF in his post?
    Is “injustice” being used in its authentic sense–i.e. a person has been wronged by another person and justice has not been imposed–or as a euphemism?
    More bullshit. The issue here is social injustice, which – on its face, and as you damn well know – doesn’t involve “one person having been wronged by another person.” You want to argue that’s there’s no such thing as social justice? Go ahead; argue it! But don’t expect others to accept the claim that the concept doesn’t exist just because you dismiss it as a “euphemism” and not “authentic” in a casual aside. Sorry, but that exceeds this month’s stupidity quota.
    Oh yeah, and should you decide you do want to argue there’s no such thing, then MY question remains: what’s the difference between “social justice” and “family values?”

  10. Is “injustice” being used in its authentic sense–i.e. a person has been wronged by another person and justice has not been imposed–or as a euphemism?
    I think the Nevi’im would all be very surprised to hear that that’s what “justice” means.

  11. David, I really don’t know what the difference is between “social justice” and “family values”. And since nobody on this thread but yourself has used that term, I really don’t know why you’re even asking me to begin with. Your assumptions about my political affiliations are humorous. Your demonization of those you disagree with, less so.
    I again would really like to hear how Uri L’tzedek’s first Beit Midrash went. I guess sooner or later there will be a blogpost about it somewhere.
    “I think the Nevi’im would all be very surprised to hear that that’s what “justice” means.”
    Justice in its truest meaning is about the remediation of a wrong. The words “social justice” are usually employed today as a euphemism for Leftist politics. Those politics may be great for their subscribers but they’re not inherently about “justice” any more than Rightist politics are.
    The Prophets spoke about a number of topics. Some had to with the injustice of exploiting people who had no outlet and the consequences that God would bring if such oppression continued. Many had to with the consequences of people trying to deceive their fellow citizens and God. Others had to do with…..almost everything.
    For example, the imperative to wage war: “Declare this to the countries: ‘Prepare for war; Ready the soldiers; Gather and bring up all the military men. Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears; Let the weak man say: ‘I am powerful!'”… (Joel 4:9).
    The commandment to keep Shabbat (Isaiah 58:13-14), God’s hatred of falsehood (everywhere!), the inevitable self-annihilation generated by deception and evil (Isaiah 49:17), the bisection of Jerusalem and the attendant destruction of (apparently) most nations on earth (ouch…. Yehezkel 14), etc. etc.
    The Prophets said alot of things and we should be careful about invoking their authority before we’re sure that we really want to hear what they’re telling us. In any event their conception of justice and goodness was far deeper than any modern political program I’ve heard about.

  12. The Prophets said alot of things and we should be careful about invoking their authority before we’re sure that we really want to hear what they’re telling us. In any event their conception of justice and goodness was far deeper than any modern political program I’ve heard about.
    True. But we gotta start somewhere.

  13. Boys, boys. Let me suggest that you give it a rest.
    David, Eric, if you want to step outside and settle it like testosterone-laden gunslingers, well, take it out back, and do so.
    But a simple, sincere discussion of the relevant issues raised by the formation of this group … that might shed some useful light on the issue or issues.
    Self-righteous rants on the right or the left are fun, but only so much fun, and msot of all for those who are writing them – less so for us poor old sods who have to wade through them.
    Furshtay?

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