For more than six decades, my Jewish home has been within Reform Judaism. I grew up in its youth movement and summer camps. I received my rabbinical education in its seminary. I have prayed and led worship in its sanctuaries. It is, Jewishly speaking, my homepage (with many and diverse links).

More than that: I have quite often resonated with Reform Judaism’s political and social positions. Since its very origins, Reform Judaism has been inextricably linked to social justice. From its earliest statement of its principles – the Pittsburgh Platform of 1885:

In full accordance with the spirit of the Mosaic legislation, which strives to regulate the relations between rich and poor, we deem it our duty to participate in the great task of modern times, to solve, on the basis of justice and righteousness, the problems presented by the contrasts and evils of the present organization of society.

In full accordance with the spirit of the Mosaic legislation, which strives to regulate the relations between rich and poor, we deem it our duty to participate in the great task of modern times, to solve, on the basis of justice and righteousness, the problems presented by the contrasts and evils of the present organization of society.

For its time, that was a pretty radical statement, and it still resonates.

Years ago, the Buffalo Springfield sang: “There’s something happening here…”

Unlike the lyrics, it is “exactly clear.”

I am speaking of the seeming sudden emergence of the Democratic Socialists of America as a major political force in this country.

Look........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)