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History of the Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk Taker Awards
Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer -- 1930-1993 When Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer hosted one of the earliest planning meetings of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice at his home in 1990, he offered more than a space to gather. He lent his energy, his wisdom, his nitty-gritty activism, his powerful sense of urgency, his vision, his colossal sense of commitment, his willingness to put acceptance and safety at risk to fight for what is just. These qualities radiated from Marshall in all his endeavors. Over some eight years, he turned a moribund New York synagogue into a thriving community where a traditional, joyous religious practice is infused with the pursuit of social justice. For 25 years before that in Argentina, he not only founded a synagogue and Latin Americas first rabbinical seminary, but courageously spoke out against the military dictatorship. (Jacobo Timerman dedicated Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number to him.) Marshall was a monumental figure, lecturing and receiving humanitarian awards all over the world. Yet he remained a warm, approachable, available rabbi to rely on in the most trying of times. Marshalls mentor had been Abraham Joshua Heschel, the visionary rabbi who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and wrote some of Judaisms most passionate, poetic essays about prayer and spiritual search. Marshall built on Heschels legacy, despite increasing retreats into tribalism and acrimony among so many of his colleagues. He fought for Israeli-Palestinian peace, the defeat of racism and homophobia, the eradication of poverty and many other causes, often in the face of vicious rebukes from those who advocate a more insular and chauvinistic Judaism or America. Teacher, comrade, friend, rabbi, Marshall has been an inspiration for JFREJ and for countless others, and will be for generations of activists to come. JFREJ established the Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk-Taker Award in 1995 to honor those who have taken extraordinary risks in the pursuit of justice.
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Board & Staff at 10th Anniversary JFREJ -- Mensches in the Trenches
For more information on the 2005 Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk Taker Awards click here For more information on the 2004 Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk Taker Awards click here
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Jews For Racial & Economic Justice - 135 W. 29th St. #600 New York, NY 10001 |
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