Yesterday, Monday 20 October, my friend Rabbi Arthur Waskow passed away, shortly after celebrating his 92nd birthday. He was surrounded by his wife Rabbi Phyllis Berman and their adult children.
We have lost a rare friend of the planet, who combined a way very rare today, the mixture of both the path of the prophet, concerned with social and ecological justice, as well that of the mystic, looking to breathe new life into ancient texts, rituals, and paths.
Together with Sr. Joan Chittister, we co-authored the book The Tent of Abraham (2006, which we wanted to call the Tent of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar–publishers are as they are!). It was ahead of its time, then and now, in looking for meeting places between paths and religions, rather than putting up more boundaries and walls to keep the faithful feeling safe “inside” away from the “other.”
Rabbi Arthur’s work with the Shalom Center will continue, and your donations are very welcome. Information about his legacy and his online funeral (October 22, 12 pm NA East Coast time) can be found via the center’s website:
