Michael Lerner was a highly influential American rabbi, political activist, and philosopher. A key figure in the “New Left” of the 1960s, he was later ordained as a rabbi. Lerner rooted his Jewish identity deeply in the “prophetic tradition,” arguing that the core of religion should be social justice and compassion for the vulnerable, rather than mere ethnic identity.
His most notable achievement was founding “Tikkun” magazine, an internationally renowned progressive Jewish and interfaith quarterly dedicated to “healing, repairing, and transforming the world” (Tikkun Olam). He developed the “Politics of Meaning” theory, which sought to introduce spiritual and psychological dimensions into politics—a concept that famously inspired political figures like Hillary Clinton. His book, “Embracing Israel/Palestine,” is recognized as a guide to resolving the conflict through an ethical and spiritual lens.
Lerner held a unique “pro-Israel and pro-Palestine” stance, steadfastly opposing the occupation and supporting Palestinian self-determination. He argued that Israel’s true security cannot be built on the oppression of another people, but must rest on a moral foundation of “generosity toward the Other.” He actively advocated for a “Global Marshall Plan” to end poverty and publicly criticized mainstream Jewish institutions for equating criticism of Israeli policy with anti-Semitism. Lerner championed a “spiritual progressivism,” calling for both sides to find shared humanity in each other’s suffering, and emphasized that Jewish spiritual health could only be restored when justice is achieved for Palestinians.