 |
Acknowledgements
The materials that went into this book and the thinking that underlies it are the products of dozens of conversations, interactions, and learning experiences with many dedicated people. People generously gave of their time, sifted through their written materials and communications, and provided the creative input that helped me develop this resource on money and Jewish values.
I am indebted to my dear friend and colleague Rabbi Mordechai Liebling of the Shefa Fund; to Jeffery Dekro, executive director of the Shefa Fund; and to Rabbi Toba Spitzer of Dorshei Tzedek in Newton, Massachusetts, for all of their groundbreaking work in the area of money and Jewish values and their contributions to this book; to Rabbi Jonathan Malamy, Anna Rosenfeld, and Rabbi Rena Blumenthal for their assistance and research in my earlier work in the area of money and Jewish values.
I thank Beth Ann Gaede, my ever-supportive editor, and the staff at the Alban Institute for their patience and faith in my ability to realize this project. Special thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc. for its grant towards the writing of this book.
I am deeply grateful to my wife, Talia Malka, my stepson Elia Malka, my parents Les and Sheila Zevit, my sister Pamela Zevit, and in-laws Leah and Milt Mandelblatt (may his memory be for a blessing); friends and teachers Paul Konikoff, David Eisner, Rabbi Myriam Klotz, Rabbi Margot Stein, Marci Gilbert, and Rabbi Shalom Schachter; Jason Shulman and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, for their comments and support over the years of writing this book.
Special thanks to all the professional staff and lay leadership, past and present, with whom I have worked over the years at the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation: Lani Moss, Hattie Dunbar, Lawrence Bush, Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Dan Cedarbaum, Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat, Rabbi Fredi Cooper, Mark Seal, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Elisa Goldberg, Richard Haimowitz, Bob Barkin, Sandy Rubenstein, Devorah Servi, Dina April, Melanie Schneider, Jackie Land, and many other regional staff and lay leadership. Thanks as well to Joyce Norden, Dr. David Teutsch, director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College’s “Ethics Center,” and Rabbi Richard Hirsh, executive director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, for providing additional resources and support.
Shira Stutman worked diligently and creatively with me at the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation to produce a leadership curriculum of money and Jewish values that works to deepen and integrate the learning in this area.
The dedicated members of the following communities across North America contributed to the research and development of this project: Rabbi Fred Dobb of Congregation Adat Shalom, Maryland; Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Wendy Gedanken, Gwen Offerdahl, Clifford Goldsmith, and Cliff Cohen of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Massachusetts; Congregation Mishkan Shalom, Pennsylvania; Howard Ellegant of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Illinois; and numerous other individuals, organizations, and faith communities from across North America.
Many others contributed time, wisdom, and resources at various stages of this project. My apologies go to anyone who has not been appropriately credited.
I thank You, the Source of All Life, for the opportunity to attempt to bring sacred consciousness into a realm where we actively experience Your presence in our actions, and strive for a world where holiness and wholeness manifests in our communal, work, and home lives.
Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit
Philadelphia, 2005/5765
....................................................
back to top
back to Excerpts
|
|
