Michael Lerner was a highly influential American rabbi, political activist, and editor. Active in the New Left movement during the 1960s, he later received rabbinic ordination. He grounded his political philosophy in the Jewish “prophetic tradition,” arguing that core religious obligations center on social justice and support for vulnerable populations.
In 1986, Lerner co-founded Tikkun, a progressive Jewish and interfaith quarterly focused on political critique, culture, and religious thought. He formulated the “Politics of Meaning” theory, which sought to address psychological and spiritual needs within political frameworks—a concept that drew attention from political figures including Hillary Clinton in the early 1990s. His 2012 book, “Embracing Israel/Palestine,” outlined his approach to the Middle Eastern conflict.
Lerner advocated a unique “pro-Israel and pro-Palestine” framework, opposing the occupation and supporting Palestinian self-determination. He argued that Israeli security could not be maintained through military rule over Palestinians, proposing instead economic and political reconciliations, including a “Global Marshall Plan” to address global poverty. He frequently criticized mainstream American Jewish institutions for conflating criticism of Israeli government policy with anti-Semitism.