Rabbi Michael Lerner was my teacher, rabbi, friend, and transformative spiritual force in my life who I first met and got to know through early Renewal circles, of which he was an important foundational force. He melded and renewed Judaism’s liturgy, theology, the messages of the prophets, inspired by the teachings of his mentor AJ Heschel. He demonstrated clearly the political and social demands to which the Torah and the Prophets call upon us to respond and commit: Unflinching activism and so become our better selves, realizing a society with a new bottom line built on love, kindness and generosity, as well as a vision of Israel/Palestine founded on these same bottom line principles. To working with what is, both individually and globally, and transforming all into what could and ought to be embodies the essence of YHVH he described as the Transformative Power of the universe. His book (among many) Jewish Renewal helped open my eyes at a time I was first vastly expanding my Jewish identity. May his memory be a source of blessing and dogged inspiration for us to continue his work of Tikkun Olam which Judaism demands. May his legacy and vision be continued unbroken in the Beyt Tikkun community, now under the able and inspiring leadership of Rabbi Cat Zavis.
Zeikher Tzadik Livrakha – May the memory of the Righteous be a Blessing upon us all.
