A Legacy of Social Action · Mount Zion Temple · Religions in Minnesota (2024)

Judaism and Justice

Foundational Concepts

The pillars of Jewish social action areYitziat Mitzrayim,B’tzelem Elohim, and Tikkun Olam.Mount Zion Temple's Tzedek Committee, a group dedicated to justice and social action, outlines these values as their motivating principles.¹

Yitziat Mitzrayim refers to the Jewish experience of diaspora and exile from their homeland, informing Judaism's collective solidarity with those who are outsiders. This sense of responsibility to others is informed by Jewish history and experience of exile, but also by the theological idea that all humans are made in the image of God with divine essence, a belief calledB'tzelem Elohim.² These culminate in the concept of Tikkun Olam which translates as "repairing the world."³Tikkun Olam encapsulates the duty that all Jews and Jewish communities are bound to by way of their history and values. By working towards social justice in a variety of ways, Mount Zion embodies these principles that animate Jewish responsibility and civic duty.

Service in Action at Mount Zion

Mount Zion puts these basic Jewish principles into action. The congregation defines itself through these collective values. The Brit Olam, or contract with the world, that the Temple signed in a joint statement with the Religious Action Center (RAC) in 2017, is a testament to Mount Zion's character and Jewish pursuit of justice (tzedek). In 2012, Rabbi Spilker organized a "Year of Tzedek" with each month dedicated to a different theme.⁴ Their newsletter highlights a range of initiatives that the congregation spearheaded during this year dedicated to justice.

Social Movements in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries

Throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries Mount Zion aligned itself with a range of progressive social movements.⁵Under the leadership of Rabbi Leigh Lerner during the 1970s-1990s, Mount Zion publicly displayed its solidarity with many social issues and marginalized groups.⁶ Mount Zion continues to be a progressive voice in Saint Paul.

Interfaith Marriage

In 1977, Rabbi Lerner conducted the first interfaith marriage ceremony at the Summit Ave Temple.⁷Advocacy surrounding interfaith marriage and discussion on the subject remains important to members of the Mount Zion community.⁸

Interfaith Social Action

The congregation has won several awards for their work alongside other religious communities in Saint Paul. Under Rabbi Adam Spilker's leadership, Mount Zion has established strong ties with theSaint Paul Interfaith Network (SPIN),and the temple has helped organize and host SPIN's annual interfaith seder.⁹Congregants attend interfaith discussions and regularly collaborate with local church groups on service projects in Saint Paul.¹⁰

Racial Justice

Rabbi Lerner launched several initiatives at Mount Zion such as the Black-Jewish Dialogue and the Black-Jewish Investment Group.¹¹ Under his leadership, Mount Zion also held a Shabbat service to honor civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.¹²

Many members of the congregation were active in anti-apartheid protests in Saint Paul during in the 80s and 90s.¹³ In July, 2018, Mount Zion Temple parterned with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) to sponsor an exhibit in honor of Jewish anti-apartheid activist Helen Suzman.¹⁴The exhibit was announced in Mount Zion Temple's Summer Bulletin.

"With July 18, 2018, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, this is an auspicious time to recall this Jewish leader and seek inspiration from her spirit and dedication."¹⁵ - Mt. Zion Temple Bulletin, 2018

Justice in Israel/Palestine

Mount Zion is engaged in ongoing efforts to foster critical public discourse on Israel/Palestine. Under the leadership of Rabbi Adam Spilker, the congregation promotes educational trips to Israel and facilitates interfaith civil discourse on Israel/Palestine alongside Christian and Muslim faith communities in Saint Paul.¹⁶In 2011, Mount Zion launched a year-long initiative on Israel. It was an interfaith intiative that examined American viewpoints on Israel and sought to engage Jewish conversations about Israel with diverse voices from outside of the community in an inclusive and balanced dialogue.¹⁷ Rabbi Adam Spilker discussed the goals of the "(Re)-Discovering Israel Conference" held on February 13, 2011:

To help everyone learn something new about Israel: from the land and its peoples and cultures to the wider context of world events; to create a safe space for dialogue and expressing diverse views; and to strengthen everyone’s personal connections to Israel.¹⁸ - Rabbi Adam Spilker