Imagine with Us
Imagine with Us
Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis
Join Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis as we explore how we can co-create a caring society - one that centers the needs of people and the planet rather than corporate interests. How might our economic, education, legal, and political systems look if guided by love, generosity, empathy, justice, and peace? We discuss nuanced, psycho-spiritual analyses of the political landscape, moving beyond materialist-reductionism and shame. Come imagine with us. Imagine with Us is a project of Tikkun and the Network of Spiritual Progressives. Learn more about us at tikkun.org and spiritualprogressives.org
Ep15: Judaism Unbound with Rabbi Michael Lerner
[1] Original Podcast posted on Judaism Unbound, a digitally-driven, radically open center for education serving as a catalyst for an entirely new era of Judaism. [2] Lerner has written a number of books over the years — some of our favorites include Jewish Renewal, which you can purchase here, The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right, available via this link, and Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World, available here. [3] In discussing the influence of AIPAC on elections, Lerner references a recent congressional primary in Michigan. For more on this, see “Pro-Israel group pours millions into primary to defeat Jewish candidate,” a piece in the Guardian written by Chris McGreal. You can also check out a piece in Tikkun, entitled “‘Anti-Israel’ and ‘Pro-Israel’ in Michigan Election,” written by Ronald Aronson. [4] Learn more about Jim Wallis, a progressive Christian theologian that Lerner references, via this link. [5] For the article Lerner references, published in Tikkun as the first written by a gay and Orthodox rabbi — under a pseudonym — click here and skip to pages 41-42. The piece was written by Steven Greenberg, initially under the pseudonym Yaakov Levado, and is entitled “Gayness and God: Wrestlings of an Orthodox Rabbi.” [6] Sign up to attend regular Torah Study (via Zoom) with Lerner’s community here!
Nov 17, 2022
40 min
A Hopeful Sign in Troubled Times
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we share a story that can provide hope and inspiration and discuss the challenges we face in our efforts to move beyond individual acts of goodness to acts of societal transformation. Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
Jul 28, 2021
24 min
Violence in Israel/Palestine
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict and rising violence in Israel/Palestine. Ha’aretz Article You can learn more and register for the JCC East Bay Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (where Rabbi Lerner and Cat Zavis will be teaching) here. Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
May 13, 2021
25 min
Anti-Racist Struggles After Minneapolis Guilty Verdict
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we celebrate the guilty verdicts in Minneapolis even as we mourn ongoing police murders of African Americans. The same day Chauvin was convicted, a 16 yr old African American girl in Columbus, OH was shot dead by police. Guilty verdicts are not enough to achieve the fundamental changes needed in the criminal justice system and to end racism in our society.
Apr 21, 2021
17 min
Fascism Rising: Lessons from the Holocaust
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we discuss the rise of fascist forms of nationalism and a strategy to tackle it before it controls the United States and other countries. Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
Apr 8, 2021
27 min
Celebrating the Covid Relief Bill and Dreaming of More
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, Celebrating the Covid Relief Bill and Dreaming of More, we recognize the importance of celebrating the covid relief bill that will provide desperately needed funds to Americans at this time and speak to what we believe is needed going forward. To learn more about our Liberation Seder (everyone is welcome!), go to: www.beyttikkun.org. Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
Mar 10, 2021
28 min
Unity Post-Impeachment?
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, we discuss the failure of the Senate to convict Trump, Biden’s call for unity, and more! Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
Feb 16, 2021
28 min
Creating a Caring Government
In this episode, Creating a Caring Government, we discuss the idea presented in Revolutionary Love that government should be a manifestation of our care for one another. One of the supporters of Tikkun magazine and Network of Spiritual Progressives wrote to me that she was struck by the false dichotomy that is presented to us about either protecting people's health (stay at home orders, social distancing, etc.) or protecting the economy if, as you say in your book the "government should be the vehicle through which we, the people of our country, demonstrate that we care for each other", what would that look like in this time? How might the Biden era and Democratic (effective) majorities in the House and Senate embody this approach? We also want to let you know of two opportunities to get involved with our work. (1) You can join Cat’s upcoming training for Spiritual Activists. Click here to learn more. (2) Become a book group facilitator for Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love. Click here to learn more. We hope you enjoy our podcast. Please rate and follow us on your favorite podcast platform and share it on social media and with your friends. It’s an easy way for folks to hear our ideas and learn more about our work and get involved if they want. If there is a topic you’d like us to discuss or question you’d like us to answer, please email [email protected] with the subject heading: Imagine with Us.
Feb 3, 2021
29 min
After Last Week's Coup Attempt
In this episode, After Last Week’s Coup Attempt, we discuss various strategies for progressives after last week’s coup attempt. We hope you enjoy it. Please rate and follow us on your favorite podcast platform and share it on social media and with your friends. It’s an easy way for folks to hear our ideas and learn more about our work and get involved if they want. If there is a topic you’d like us to discuss or a question you’d like us to answer, please email [email protected] with the subject heading: Imagine with Us.
Jan 14, 2021
38 min
Dream Big: Imagine a Truly Transformed and Loving World
Welcome to Imagine with Us podcast with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Cat Zavis. In this episode, in honor of the holiday season, we have decided to dream big and imagine a truly transformed and loving world. We invite you to imagine with us! Tikkun Magazine - www.tikkun.org Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) - www.spiritualprogressives.org Email: [email protected] (subject heading - Imagine with Us) Rabbi Lerner’s book Revolutionary Love at www.tikkun.org/revlove Emma’s Revolution -  www.emmasrevolution.com
Dec 24, 2020
25 min
Load more