Democracy Resources

Purim Reminds Us Rights Shouldn’t Be Tied to the Whims of Rulers

A D’var Torah for Purim by Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael As a Queer and Trans Jew, Purim has long held a special place in my heart as a holiday that envisions a world in which oppression can be turned upside down, in which coming out can be liberatory and world-changing, and miracles come to life through...

Photo of the author, Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas

Rosh Chodesh Adar: Turning Grief to Joy as Resistance

Adar is a month that invites us into an ancient, collective experience. It calls us to cultivate joy, even when we do not feel it naturally. Our ancestors knew there would be Adars when joy was hard to find, yet they committed themselves to honor the spirit of the month, to dare to seek joy even in the hardest times.

Capitol Building at sunset

“May We Create a Nation”: A New Prayer for Our Country

From Rabbi Seth Goldstein: We know that this is a nation founded by massacre, built by slavery, maintained by exclusion, defined by inequality. And we also know that this nation promises equality, exercises resilience, evolves continuously, practices teshuvah.

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Redigging the wells

by Avner Gvaryahu
In the struggle over democracy, it is not just about big ideas, levers of power, or sums of money: It is about human lives.
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Ancient Wisdom for this Post-Election Era

by Rabbi John L. Rosove
As I recall standing upon those millennia-old steps holding that aged stone in my hand, I take heart in the ancient truth that functional families, close friendships, and coalitions of decency with other religions and peoples have the capacity to sustain us, that historical perspective is a balm to mind, heart, and soul, and that pragmatic, sure, and visionary leadership is a hedge against societal chaos and an opportunity to seek the fulfillment of our people’s and nation’s highest aspirations.
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Taking to the Streets: A Checklist for Action

by Assembled by T'ruah
A working document based upon guides from PG Watkins of The BlackOUT Collective and Frontline Election Defenders Tefillat HaDerech (The Travelers’ Prayer): May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace, and guide us in peace, and support us in...
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Drawing Near to Injustice

by Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt
There are moments when we want to close our eyes, to stop listening, and to take a break from what ails the world.
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Land, People, God: What Really Defines the Jews?

by Janice Fine and Marshall Ganz
In our own time and place, we are wise to recognize the danger of allowing any single land to confer sanctity on any single people. Abram’s comings, going, and sojournings remind us that it is the covenantal blessing of our community that holds us together, regardless of where we came from or how we got there.
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Be the Window

by Rabbi Sara and Dr. Michael Paasche-Orlow
The window – where the dove returns with an olive branch –  is about hope and connection. The window is an escape from the crushing waves of the endless news cycle of fear and violence. The window is a possibility of change – of redemption.
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Here All Along

by Sarah Hurwitz
Excerpt from Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)
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Democracy and Elections

by Compiled by T'ruah
Text studies, divrei Torah, placards, and more resources for elections.
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Jewish Texts On Fair Voting And Just Elections

by Rabbi Mark Hurvitz and Rabbi Ed Stafman
"In the form we know them today, popular elections – where all adult citizens vote for their leaders – are the product of western democracies."
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Looking backward, looking forward: A year of Torah 20/20

by Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow and Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson
A d’var Torah for Simchat Torah. Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow is the Vice President at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. He has a deep love of irreverent, relevant, and revealing Torah and blogs religiously at saidtomyself.com. Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson is Director of Rabbinic Training at T’ruah and the editor of Torah 20/20.   Rabbi...
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