Arthur Waskow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Waskow
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Arthur Waskow
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Arthur Irwin Waskow
October 12, 1933 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Died | October 20, 2025 (aged 92) |
| Occupation |
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| Movement | Jewish Renewal |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Berman |
Arthur Ocean Waskow, born Arthur Irwin Waskow on October 12, 1933, was an important American writer, activist, and rabbi. He was a leader in the Jewish Renewal movement. He passed away on October 20, 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Arthur Waskow was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied at Johns Hopkins University. Later, he earned a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
From 1959 to 1961, he worked for Congressman Robert Kastenmeier. He helped write laws and policies. He also worked at the Peace Research Institute. In 1963, he helped start the Institute for Policy Studies. This group studied important issues and suggested solutions.
Standing Up for Change
Arthur Waskow believed in making the world a better place. In 1968, he was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. He helped nominate Reverend Channing Phillips for President. This was a historic moment for a Black American.
Waskow wrote for Ramparts magazine. In 1969, he published his "Freedom Seder." A Seder is a special meal with readings. His "Freedom Seder" connected the ancient story of freedom from slavery to modern struggles. These included the Civil Rights Movement and the women's movement.
During the 1960s, Waskow was very active. He wrote and spoke out against the Vietnam War. He took part in peaceful protests called sit-ins and teach-ins. He was arrested many times for protesting. He spoke against racial segregation and unfair treatment of people. He also protested against the Vietnam War and later the Iraq War. He co-authored a paper supporting those who did not want to join the military during the Vietnam War. He also joined a protest where people refused to pay taxes. This was to show their opposition to the war.
Religious Work and Jewish Renewal
Since 1969, Arthur Waskow became a leader in the Jewish Renewal movement. This movement helps Jewish traditions stay alive and meaningful today. In 1971, he helped create the Fabrangen Havurah. A havurah is a small group of people who study and pray together. His experiences there inspired his book Godwrestling.
He taught at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He also taught about religion at several universities. These included Swarthmore College and Temple University.
In 1983, he started The Shalom Center. This group first worked to prevent nuclear war. Later, it focused on protecting the environment and human rights. It also spoke out against global warming and the climate crisis. In 1993, Waskow helped found ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. He spent many years researching and speaking for ALEPH.
Arthur Waskow became a rabbi in 1995. He was ordained by a special group of rabbis from different Jewish traditions.
Books and Writings
Arthur Waskow wrote many important books. Some of his well-known works include Godwrestling and Seasons of Our Joy. He also wrote Down-to-Earth Judaism. With his wife, Rabbi Phyllis Berman, he co-authored several books. These included Tales of Tikkun and Freedom Journeys. He also edited books about Jewish thought and ecology.
Important Beliefs and Actions
Arthur Waskow strongly supported equality for everyone. This included women and LGBTQ people in Jewish life. He also worked to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. He believed that protecting our planet was a very important Jewish value. He saw the climate crisis as a serious issue.
He helped create "Kol Nidre in the Streets" in 2011. This was part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. This movement protested against economic inequality. He was also part of the US National Council of Elders. This group of experienced activists worked for justice and peace.
Eco-Judaism and Environmental Work
Waskow was a pioneer in "Eco-Judaism." This idea connects Jewish teachings with caring for the environment. He wrote books like Torah of the Earth about this topic. He also organized events like the Interfaith Freedom Seder for the Earth. These events used Jewish traditions to highlight climate issues. He was a candidate for the World Zionist Congress with the Green Zionist Alliance.
He helped start the Green Hevra in 2010. This was a group of Jewish environmental organizations. He also joined Interfaith Moral Action on Climate. Waskow often took part in peaceful protests. He was arrested many times for protesting climate change. He protested at the US Capitol and the White House.
Awards and Recognition
Arthur Waskow received many honors for his work. In 2007, Newsweek magazine called him one of the most influential rabbis in America. He also received the Rev. Richard Fernandez Religious Leadership Award. The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation gave him a Peace and Justice Award.
The Forward newspaper recognized him as a creative leader in Jewish life. In 2014, T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, he was named one of "America's most inspiring rabbis." The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College gave him an honorary doctorate in 2017.
Teaching and Activism
Waskow was a visiting professor at several universities. He taught about Jewish theology and ecology. He shared his ideas at Swarthmore College, Temple University, and Vassar College.
He was arrested many times for peaceful protests. His first arrest was in 1963, protesting racial segregation. He continued to protest for fair elections and against voter suppression. He also protested against unfair treatment of refugees and immigrants. He saw these arrests as honorable religious acts. He felt he was "praying with his legs," like Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Arthur Waskow was a dedicated writer and speaker. He focused on social justice through a Jewish Renewal perspective. His writings are kept in archives at the American Jewish Historical Society.
Passing
Arthur Waskow passed away at his home in Philadelphia on October 20, 2025.
