Uri L'Tzedek: Orthodox Social Justice

Abby Levine (she/her) is the first executive director of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Under her leadership, the Roundtable has tripled in size, supported sector-wide efforts on civic engagement and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity, and organized two conferences of 150 people from across the network. Previously, Abby led a coalition of 30 local progressive organizations in Columbus,...

Prior to OLAM, Dyonna served as Director of Education and Service Learning at The Jewish Agency; Executive Director of Bema'aglei Tzedek, an Israeli social change NGO; and co-founder of Siach, a global network of Jewish social justice and environmental professionals. ‍ A frequent lecturer, Dyonna was named "one of Israel's 50 most inspiring women" by Nashim magazine in 2015. Dyonna was awarded the...

Rabbi Daniel Ross Goodman is the Allen and Joan Bildner Visiting Scholar in Jewish Studies at Rutgers University and the author of three books, including Soloveitchik's Children: Irving Greenberg, David Hartman, Jonathan Sacks, and the Future of Jewish Theology in America (University of Alabama Press, 2023) Register for our upcoming classes here:  https://linktr.ee/utzedek

Rabbanit Sharona Margolin Halickman was the first Congregational intern and Madricha Ruchanit at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (1997-2004) where she provided religious education and spiritual direction for the community. She is a graduate of Yeshiva University (BA and MS) as well as Matan’s Eshkolot (Tanach) and Hilkheta programs. Sharona is the founder and director of Torat Reva Yerushalayim...

Professor Corinna Lain is the S. D. Roberts & Sandra Moore Professor of Law at the University of Richmond School of Law. Professor Lain’s scholarship focuses on two areas—Supreme Court decision-making and the death penalty—and she has published numerous articles and essays about lethal injection over the last decade. Her work has appeared in the nation’s top law journals, including the Stanfor...

Sign up for our next class, happening October 16: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5nn_k70KQRiGsnI-FwnjPg#/registration -- Wendy Zierler is Sigmund Falk Professor of Modern Jewish Literature and Feminist Studies at HUC-JIR in New York. Prior to joining HUC-JIR she was a Research Fellow in the English Department of the University of Hong Kong. She received her Ph. D. and her MA from Prin...

Uri L’Tzedek’s College Social Justice Fellowship is now accepting applications for Fall 2025! This virtual fellowship brings together observant Jewish college students for four Sunday sessions focused on social justice through a Jewish lens, featuring dynamic speakers, peer learning, and community building. 🕒 Priority Application Deadline: Oct 5 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uRZ5UB...

Nomi Kaltmann is a lawyer, journalist, educator and political strategist. She has held senior roles working across law, media, and politics. Nomi is a monthly columnist for The Jewish Independent and previously served as the Australian correspondent for Tablet Magazine (New York). Her commentary and reporting have appeared in The Griffith Review, The Guardian, The Age, Crikey, Mamamia, ABC Religio...

Uri L’Tzedek’s College Social Justice Fellowship is now accepting applications for Fall 2025! This virtual fellowship brings together observant Jewish college students for four Sunday sessions focused on social justice through a Jewish lens, featuring dynamic speakers, peer learning, and community building. 🕒 Priority Application Deadline: Oct 5 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA.....

Rabbanit Sharona Margolin Halickman was the first Congregational intern and Madricha Ruchanit at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (1997-2004) where she provided religious education and spiritual direction for the community. She is a graduate of Yeshiva University (BA and MS) as well as Matan’s Eshkolot (Tanach) and Hilkheta programs. Sharona is the founder and director of Torat Reva Yerushalayim...

Rabbi David Polsky is an Orthodox rabbi, educator, and Kashrut professional living in Southfield, Michigan with his wife and two children. His main research interest is the interaction between Halakhah and social justice. He published two articles in The Lehrhaus making a Halachic case for police accountability, and his article on water access and Halakhah will be published in a book on Jews and p...

Join Mark MacCarthy, adjunct faculty in the Communication, Culture & Technology Program at Georgetown University, for an engaging conversation on the future of artificial intelligence. While concerns about the existential risks of advanced AI—ranging from loss of control to human extinction—have been circulating for years, recent developments suggest a different picture. Despite bold claims fr...

While tikkun olam and tzedek tzedek tirdof have become the rallying cries of the Jewish social justice movement, there are many rich texts that provide nuance and depth to the Jewish imperative for social justice. Come explore these texts and, perhaps, even be inspired to find your own personal rallying cry for the work.  -- Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez is a values-driven Jewish educator, comm...

In this class we will explore two opposing answers to the most fundamental question raised by the Jewish return to political power,the surprising shift by the Religious Zionist movement, and the practical implications for the burning questions of our day - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Avidan Freedman is a rabbi and activist working to return the prophetic voice of ethics to its...

Join Randy Parraz, Co-Founder and President of the Organizing Institute for Democracy. He will share how he was the main organizer behind the takedown of an extremist politician in 2011 and provide a behind the scenes perspective of how ordinary citizens can organize and win when others thought it impossible. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STAY CONNECTED: Website: utzedek.org  N...

Check out this cross-Atlantic conversation with leaders from Kehillat Harlem (NYC) and Ayeka (Paris) on the vision, challenges, and impact of creating meaningful Jewish communities. This video is helpful to all- whether you're part of one, building one, or just curious.  Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/sZJhMejBRmk - - - - - - - - - - - -...

Check out this dynamic Zoom panel with Rabbi Hart Levine and Rabbanit Tanya Farber where they discuss how radical hospitality at the Seder transforms lives and builds community. Discover how opening our homes and hearts can create spaces of belonging, deepen Jewish meaning, and ensure everyone has a seat at the table. Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel: youtu...

Listen to this book talk on Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery, as author Richard Kreitner explores how six American Jews navigated the moral crisis of slavery during the Civil War—and what their stories teach us about conscience, courage, and identity. Purchase the book on Amazon ! Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel:...

Carletta Tilousi, a lifelong advocate and former Havasupai Tribal Council member, will share her story of protecting the Grand Canyon and advancing environmental justice for Indigenous communities. Drawing from over 25 years of leadership, Carletta will explore the sacred significance of Red Butte, the threats to the region’s aquifer, and the powerful legacy of Havasupai resistance and resilience....

In this session, participants learned how to be effective allies to immigrant communities facing crisis. We covered what to do if you witness an immigration raid, how to respond safely and legally, and how to distribute "Know Your Rights" Red Cards to vulnerable communities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- STAY CONNECTED: Website: www.utzedek.org Newslet...

In this episode, Keshet’s Southwest Community Mobilization Manager, Rachel Gollay, explores the urgent challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals in the current social climate and how they intersect with Jewish values. Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_htFNr9duz-KJiXdtW8pIw   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STAY CONNECTED:...

In this podcast, Dr. Marc Shapiro discusses his new book on Rav Kook. It focuses on new and surprising insights that have come to light from Rav Kook's recently published (and long suppressed) writings. Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_htFNr9duz-KJiXdtW8pIw   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STAY CONNECTED: Website:...

A dynamic panel discussion between Daphne Lazar Price and Rabbi Nati Helfgot exploring Rabbi Soloveitchik’s teachings as a framework for balancing personal spirituality with communal justice. This conversation dives into the challenges of integrating faith, activism, and ethical commitments in today’s complex world. Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tzedek’s YouTube channel: youtube...

Explore the critical intersection of Jewish values and end-of-life planning in this past fellowship session. Participants examined the importance of designating a healthcare proxy, ensuring medical decisions align with their values. The discussion also delves into how Jewish law informs end-of-life care and the role of a rabbinic consultant in guiding these choices. Practical steps for completing...

Experience Jewish history through a fresh lens as Marko delves into the rich and complex story of Jewish communities in Croatia and the Balkans. From ancient traders to cultural luminaries, from the devastation of the Holocaust to modern revival efforts, this recorded podcast offers a fascinating exploration of resilience, heritage, and renewal. Watch the video recording of this class on Uri L’Tze...