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Michael Phillip Lerner

マイケル・フィリップ・ラーナー

Michael Phillip Lerner

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1943-02-07 （Newark, New Jersey, U.S.）
Died
2024-08-28 （Berkeley, California, U.S.） age 81
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism (Jewish Renewal)
Residence History
Weequahic, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. → Berkeley, California, U.S. → San Francisco, California, U.S. → Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. → Other (San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay)

Career

Occupations
Rabbi, Political activist, Editor, Author, Academic
Active Years
1960-2024
Affiliations
Tikkun (magazine), Beyt Tikkun Synagogue, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Institute for Labor and Mental Health, Board of Rabbis of Northern California
Memberships
Board of Rabbis of Northern California, Ohalah (organization of Jewish Renewal rabbis)
Influenced By
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Leaders of the Free Speech Movement and New Left thinkers
Influenced
Younger leaders in the Jewish Renewal movement and progressive Jews, Activists and commentators who link religion and social justice

Education

Columbia University
Degree: BA
Period: 1960s
Year of Graduation: 1964
Country: United States
University of California, Berkeley
Philosophy
Degree: PhD (Philosophy)
Period: 1960s–1972
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: United States
PhD in Philosophy
Wright Institute
Clinical/Social Psychology
Degree: PhD (Clinical/Social Psychology)
Period: 1970s
Year of Graduation: 1977
Country: United States
PhD in Clinical/Social Psychology
Jewish Theological Seminary (attended)
Period: 不明（数年在籍）
Country: United States
Studied for several years; did not complete classical seminary training; later received private beth din ordination

Awards

100 Top Visionaries (selected by Utne Reader)
1995
Organization: Utne Reader
Result: 選出
Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builders Prize
2005
Work: Healing Israel/Palestine
Organization: Morehouse College
Result: 受賞
Religion Newswriters Association Best Magazine of the Year (as editor)
2014
Work: Tikkun (magazine)
Organization: Religion Newswriters Association (RNA)
Result: 受賞（雑誌）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Politics of Meaning

1996 Politics / Religion / Social commentary

Argues that a spiritual crisis underlies many social problems and proposes a 'politics of meaning' to restore hope and ethical values in American public life.

SpiritualitySocial justiceCritique of market valuesCommunity

Jewish Renewal: A Path to Healing and Transformation

1994 Religion / Spirituality

Introduces the Jewish Renewal movement and advocates spiritual practices combined with social justice as paths to healing and transformation.

Spiritual practiceCommunal healingReligious renewal

Healing Israel/Palestine

2003 Politics / Peace studies

Proposes paths for reconciliation and healing in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, acknowledging legitimate claims on both sides and offering practical strategies.

Middle East peaceReconciliationJustice and healing

The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right

2006 Politics / Religious commentary

Argues for reclaiming religious values for progressive politics as a counter to the Religious Right.

Religion and politicsProgressivismEthics

Bibliography

  • The New Socialist Revolution (1973)
  • Surplus Powerlessness: The Psychodynamics of Everyday Life (1986)
  • The Socialism of Fools: Anti-Semitism on the Left (1992)
  • Jewish Renewal: A Path to Healing and Transformation (1994)
  • Jews and Blacks: Let the Healing Begin (1995) — 共著（Cornel West）
  • The Politics of Meaning (1996)
  • Spirit Matters: Global Healing and the Wisdom of the Soul (2000)
  • Healing Israel/Palestine (2003)
  • The Geneva Accord: And Other Strategies for Healing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2004)
  • The Left Hand of God (2006)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Essayistic and persuasiveReligious and spiritual discourseSocial criticism blended with personal reflection
Recurring Motifs
Linking spirituality and social justiceCommunity and healingCritique of marketismInterfaith dialogue

Health

  • Lung cancer
    2009（診断）、手術及び治療を受けた
    Diagnosed in 2009; underwent surgery and continued public activity thereafter.
  • Congestive heart failure
    晩年（2020年代初頭〜）
    Health declined in later years; ultimately had congestive heart failure at time of death.

Legacy

Michael Lerner was known for linking spiritual values with social justice. Through Tikkun magazine he influenced progressive Jewish thought and public debate, advocated reconciliation in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and promoted interfaith dialogue. Controversial to some, he nevertheless left an imprint on younger leaders and activists.

Academic Societies

  • Board of Rabbis of Northern California
  • Ohalah (Jewish Renewal rabbis organization)

Archives

  • Stanford University (Michael Lerner writings and archive)

In Popular Culture

  • Delivered a eulogy at Muhammad Ali's memorial in 2016, receiving widespread attention
  • Frequent TV appearances on Larry King Live, Meet the Press, C-SPAN, etc.

Quotes

  • The way to honor the memory of Muhammad Ali is to be Muhammad Ali today in our own lives.
    Source: Eulogy at Muhammad Ali's memorial (2016) (2016)

Trivia

  • Played leadership roles in 1960s student movements (Free Speech Movement, SDS).
  • Was one of the 'Seattle Seven' tried in 1970; imprisoned for contempt then released on appeal.
  • Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and underwent surgery.
  • Reportedly died in 2024 using California's End of Life Option Act.