Last month I accidentally bought a barrel of Flaum pickles. My wife Shoshana’s mouth dropped when she saw it in the house, knowing that my organization ” title=”http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/kosher-food-manufacturer-to-pay-577000-in-settlement/” target=”_blank”>a labor settlement that will return over half a million dollars to workers’ pockets!
” title=”http://www.utzedek.org/whoweare/team.html” target=”_blank”>Rabbi Ari Hart, one of the most important Orthodox rabbis in America and one of the most effective Jewish activists in the world today. He operates like a ninja in the night, fighting for justice under the radar for the long haul. In my Los Angeles office last week, I watched him on the phone working through negotiations between various parties, delicately balancing complex, competing interests. I am deeply inspired by the change Rabbi Hart is leading.
Tonight, I would like to celebrate with a Flaum pickle. Tomorrow, it is time to collectively re-strategize the next worker injustice issue to take on until the end. Together, we can and will change the world.
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz is the Founder & President of ” title=”http://shamayimvaretz.org/” target=”_blank”>The Shamayim V’Aretz Institute, the Director of Jewish Life & the Senior Jewish Educator at the UCLA Hillel and a 6th year doctoral candidate at Columbia University in Moral Psychology & Epistemology. Rav Shmuly’s book “Jewish Ethics & Social Justice: A Guide for the 21st Century” is now available on ” title=”http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/04/02/america-s-top-50-rabbis-for-2012.html#slide40″ target=”_blank”>one of the most influential rabbis in America.
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