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Recorded October 25, 2024
Not in Our Name
Disentangling Judaism from the Violence of Occupation
A Community Gathering with Rabbi Cat Zavis
“The way to manifest your sacredness is to embody sacredness – to treat all life as sacred.”
Rabbi Cat Zavis discussed the misuse of Judaism to justify the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Drawing on deep Jewish ethical traditions of justice and compassion, Rabbi Zavis showed how the occupation fundamentally contradicts core Jewish values. We explored the rich history of Jewish opposition to occupation and highlight contemporary movements working to honor Judaism’s ethical mandate, “Never Again” for anyone.
Some of the questions we asked:
- The Jewish teaching that “every life is a universe” emphasizes the sanctity of human life. How do we reconcile this principle with the current genocide in Gaza?
- How do we understand the intergenerational trauma behind the oppression of the Palestinian people? How can people who suffered genocide now commit genocide themselves?
- Tikkun Olam calls us to repair and mend the world. What does it mean to repair and mend in the face of such destruction?
Presenters
Rabbi Cat Zavis
Rabbi Cat Zavis is a passionate shaper of Jewish rituals and services that inspire and draw connections between the spiritual, personal, and political. She is a spiritual social justice activist, attorney, and visionary leader with over 20 years experience in empathic and people-centered leadership and collaboration. A sought after facilitator and trainer in nonviolent communication, prophetic empathy, collaboration, and conflict resolution, she has over 25 years experience working with and helping people understand our shared needs and how to challenge manifestations of othering and build beloved communities of belonging. While co-editor of Tikkun magazine, she wrote articles and helped shape the magazine; as Executive Director of the Network of Spiritual Progressives she has trained over 1000 people in Prophetic Empathy and Revolutionary Love.