Finances: Money & Jewish Spiritual Values
Rabbis Shawn Zevit and Mordechai Liebling discuss the uses and variety of values-based approaches to money and other resources in congregational life. They will engage in a lively discussion about the way money has historically been and can be a spiritual tool for communal and societal transformation. Special focus is given to the meaning ascribed to money, issues of class and social justice in Jewish life.
Prior to class please read Jewish Values, Money, and Your Community and listen to two audio files (1/2 hour each) Money and Jewish Community
Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit, is the Director of Outreach & Tikkun Olam, and a congregational consultant and resource developer for the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation. He is a founding member of Shabbat Unplugged and the Davenning Leaders’ Training Institute, and a spiritual director for numerous clergy and communities. He has written and developed resources and delivered workshops in the areas of community building, leadership, prayer, interactive midrash, contemporary views of GOD, prayer and spiritual leadership skills, money and Jewish values, social justice issues, Jewish environmental concerns and Jewish men's issues. He is the author of "Offerings of the Heart: Money and Values in Faith Community (Alban, 2005) and a forthcoming book for Jewish Men.
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling served as executive director of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation for 12 years and is the Executive Vice President of the Jewish Funds for Justice. He is a consultant to JRF, a consultant on Money and Values issues for the Shefa Fund of Philadelphia, and a member of Reconstructionist Minyan Dorshei Derekh in Philadelphia.