JustThought Jewish Social Justice Commentaries on Torah, Holidays and History

Sign up to receive JustThought by e-mail.

JustThought is a series of essays from AJWS applying Jewish wisdom to the pursuit of repairing the world, tikkun olam, through social justice today. Drawing from Jewish history, Torah sources and the latest headlines, we plumb pressing questions about human rights and global justice from a Jewish perspective through monthly essays by noted scholars, activists, leading public figures and AJWS staff

Sign up above to receive our monthly JustThought publication by e-mail so you don’t miss an issue.


Closing of the Gates: Inspirations for Neilah

Our Part in the Journey: A Passover Call to Action

Witness as Transformation

Finding Justice After Genocide: Guatemalan activists and Talmudic rabbis seek restitution, not revenge, as the path forward

Crossing the Border: From Genesis to Guatemala

Awaken! Shofars Around the World Are Calling for Justice: A High Holidays Reflection

On Tisha B’Av, Connection Conquers Hate

L’Dor Vador: Climate Justice Must Start Now

Righteous Leadership in Times of Crisis

My Trip To Guatemala: Lessons of Justice that Inspire Action

Dignity First: Wisdom on Disaster Response in the Torah and Today

Compassion Leads to Action: Reclaiming Prayer as the First Step to Change

Vulnerable and Empowered: Widows as Objects of Care and Agents of Change

Our Universe of Moral Obligation

My Grandmother, Yiddish and May Day

Ten Lessons from the Haggadah for Jewish Activists

Global Solidarity in the Age of Trump

Transforming Tradition: Love, marriage and autonomy—from Fiddler on the Roof to modern-day India

Rights and Responsibilities: How does Jewish wisdom bolster our efforts to realize human rights for all?

Echoes of Sinai: How can an ancient text inform global issues today?