Rabbi Michael Lerner, Ph.D., is a renowned author, spiritual leader, and intellectual force in progressive Judaism. As the founding Editor of Tikkun Magazine since 1986, he has championed a fusion of liberal politics and spiritual insight, earning the publication widespread acclaim. Additionally, Rabbi Lerner co-founded and chairs the Network of Spiritual Progressives, advocating for a compassionate and just society across faith boundaries. His prolific literary contributions, including bestsellers like “The Left Hand of God,” and “Jewish Renewal,” reflect his visionary approach to addressing global challenges.

Lerner articulates a transformative vision, proposing initiatives like the Global Marshall Plan to shift societal values from domination to generosity. In his own words:

“I have great compassion for my (Jewish) people and (their) trauma, but I also believe that seeing the world through the framework of that trauma, and acting it out in particular on the Palestinian people, has created a tragic paradox. The State of Israel, insisting on its Jewishness, has embraced what I call “Settler Judaism,” rather than the message of compassion summed up by the Torah commandment, “Thou shalt love the Other (the stranger).” This is the central theme of what I call Renewal Judaism or “An Emancipatory Judaism of Love.”

His commitment to peace earned him the Martin Luther King Jr./Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Peacemaking in 2005. Lerner advocates for a paradigm shift toward a “New Bottom Line” that prioritizes love, kindness, and ecological sensitivity alongside economic success. His enduring dedication to fostering a world guided by ethical values and spiritual wisdom continues to inspire and influence contemporary thought and action.’’