FAVORITES by Moshe ben Asher
Gather the People, 2024
[This paper may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads... more [This paper may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/TIKKUN_OLAM_SOUL_SEARCHING.pdf with bi-lateral endnotes that allow instant access from text to endnotes and instant return from endnotes back to text.]
Recounts a Torah-based conception of repair of the world (tikkun olam) that reflects the authors’ combined 75-plus years of learning, living, and teaching Torah and community organizing and development; recognizes the critical linkage between repairing ourselves as change agents and repairing the families and communities that ideally form the foundation of our society’s moral-spiritual infrastructure; examines the obstacles, challenges, and role of faith in tikkun olam; and identifies the central role of Torah in the moral vision, values and path of community organizing and development aimed to promote righteousness, truth, justice, freedom, peace, and compassion.
Gather the People, 2025
[This file may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/RA... more [This file may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/RAD_DEMOS.pdf with dynamic links between the text and bi-lateral endnotes that allow instant access from text to endnotes and instant return from endnotes back to text.] This essay highlights the mostly unacknowledged role of the demos in creating American covenantal democracy, the debilitating effects on that governing principle from the phenomenal rise in corporate power, the corporate re-engineering of humankind from values-driven citizens to corporate accounting ciphers, the subsequent immiseration of the people, the attendant loss of their constitutional sovereignty, the requirements to restore the exercise of that sovereignty, the means for the demos to secure a necessary share of the public powers, the structure that will enable each citizen to be permanently empowered, and why the demos are the only believable hope for rescuing American democracy. (21 pp.)
Gather the People, 2025
[This 84-page paper may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Dow... more [This 84-page paper may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/RAD_COVENANT.pdf with dynamic interactive links between the TOC and chapters and with bi-lateral endnotes that allow instant access from text to endnotes and instant return from endnotes back to text.]
Focuses on American covenantal democracy, its origination in the Torah's covenant, and its adoption by early New England Christian settlers. It describes how the Torah became the social-morality foundation which was essential to the survival and success of the unique "American experiment" of covenantal democracy, whose benchmark was the directly democratic sovereignty of the demos. Surveys the historical development of democracy in America, from its beginnings by the early settlers, through its transformation and eventual decline in the twentieth century. Traces the transition from covenant to constitution and the demise of the moral-spiritual covenant altogether. Identifies the critical effects of the history of American oligarchs and the bureaucratization of American government. Proposes what will be required to restore the covenantal sovereignty of the people and the educational task of public powers organizing in that restoration.
Gather the People, 2025
[This file may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/GO... more [This file may be viewed and downloaded at https://www.gatherthepeople.org/resources/Downloads/GOD_CLOSE.pdf with dynamic links between the text and bi-lateral endnotes that allow instant access from text to endnotes and instant return from endnotes back to text.]
Discusses the desire to attain closeness to God, the common disappointments associated with living primarily for the sake of material rewards, the distinction of viewing "closeness" from God's point of view, the alternative of seeking spiritual rewards, the experience of allying oneself to the Creator and Mastermind of Creation, the challenges of relating human spirituality to God's incorporeal character, the recognition that evidence of God's spirit exists in the physical and spiritual lawfulness of the Creation, the latter of which—righteousness, truth, justice, freedom, peace, and compassion—are built into the moral-spiritual infrastructure of society, and the recognition that meeting their demands is the way to attain personal closeness to God.
WW2 Tales (YouTube), 2025
This text was transcribed by the publisher from the original YouTube video, which is available at... more This text was transcribed by the publisher from the original YouTube video, which is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gykVp3JJNdI.* The video is based on the personal experience and reflections of German POWs in the U.S. during World War II, which they recorded in letters home and in their diaries (many of which were not found until long after the war). These anecdotal accounts witness the overwhelming productive prowess of American industry and agriculture in the 1940s, the unique political freedom and civil rights enjoyed by Americans then, and the humane values and moral basis of Americans' compassion as a nation, which unmistakably demonstrated to the POWs the building blocks of American democracy and the foundation it provided in turn for the country's exceptionalism in that era.]
Gather the People, 2022
Posits the critical importance of morality to healthy social life; explores the inadequate social... more Posits the critical importance of morality to healthy social life; explores the inadequate social work approach to spirituality, the breadth of cross-cultural moral values that enable morality focused social work intervention, the conditions required to foster clients’ moral sensibility, the necessity for using a morally-indeterminate treatment model, the foundation in attachment of moral character and empathy, and the social worker’s role in clients’ acquisition of moral compass.
Gather the People, 2025
The Annotated Index is based on the multi-volume Judaica Press (1989) version of the Hirsch Torah... more The Annotated Index is based on the multi-volume Judaica Press (1989) version of the Hirsch Torah commentary. The complete 418-page Annotated Index, encompassing all of his commentary, from Bereshit/Genesis through Devarim/Deuteronomy, includes approximately 19,000 thousand entries in Adobe Portable Document (PDF) format.
The Annotated Index is an excellent resource and tool for anyone seeking a focused, in-depth encounter with the extraordinary Torah commentary of this modern sage. Rabbi Hirsch died more than a century ago (1888), but he is nonetheless considered one of the giants of modern commentators. He combined several qualities that have particular relevance for Torah study in our time:
He had a singularly masterful command of traditional texts—so much so as to be regarded as a modern sage by his rabbinic peers.
He understood and articulated with great clarity the underlying meanings of Hebrew roots and words in all their variations—so much so that an Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew based on his commentary has been published.
He understood modern science, its method and potential, regarding it as not inherently in conflict with Torah—so much so that his idea, Torah im derekh eretz ("Torah with the way of the land") advocated an ". . . intimate union between total, unadulterated Judaism and the spirit of all true science and knowledge."
His commentary is not partial or disjointed, but detailed, comprehensive, and integrated—so much so that the Judaica Press version takes seven volumes (including the Haftarot).
His commentary promotes Jewish spirituality and religiosity that are highly relevant to the pressures and hopes of daily life—so much so that we find it applicable in contemporary society to individuals, families, communities, our whole people, and the larger nation in which we live.
Social Policy, 2017
Explores the shortcomings of mass mobilizations not grounded in long-term organizational developm... more Explores the shortcomings of mass mobilizations not grounded in long-term organizational development and seasoned leadership; the downside of failing to target indirect decision-makers; the disappointing experience of the Million Mom March, which employed a tactic as a strategy, and was opposed by the NRA; the basis of the extraordinary NRA political power; the Wall Street-led "billionaire brotherhood" forces behind the NRA, working to replace a bottom-up elective democracy with a top-down empire; and the most practicable means of remedying the imbalance of power by securing institutional powers for the general citizenry.
Gather the People, 2012
Reviews a full range of material from which an organizer might choose elements to incorporate in ... more Reviews a full range of material from which an organizer might choose elements to incorporate in a one-to-one visit, including: credentialing; vision, values, and religious legitimization; personal biography and surfacing pressures; strategic organizing vision; and stumbling blocks. (9 pp.)
Social Policy, 2018
Proposes that community organizing campaigns work as more powerful tools when they combine the de... more Proposes that community organizing campaigns work as more powerful tools when they combine the demonstrated power of organizing with the persuasive argumentation of lobbying. Examines problematic aspects of both, including: choosing coalition partners, setting campaign priorities, targeting decision-makers, strategizing a campaign, pressuring decision-makers, preparing lobbying arguments, assembling a policy brief, motivating decision-makers, planning a traditional media campaign, misusing social media, meeting with decision-makers, and testifying at legislative committee hearings.
Social Policy, 2017
Highlights the leadership deficit in progressive community organizing attempts to hold accountabl... more Highlights the leadership deficit in progressive community organizing attempts to hold accountable the stockholders and executives of the country's massively consolidated corporations; the need for continuous broad-based leadership development to build a unified national progressive grassroots movement; the importance of organizers taking greater risks in trusting leaders; the pillars of developing individuals as leaders; critical supportive organizational context; and criteria for evaluating the growth of leaders.
Social Policy, 2022
Focuses on the necessity within community organizing projects of achieving internal accountabilit... more Focuses on the necessity within community organizing projects of achieving internal accountability; the commonplace failure of leaders to constructively confront others within their organizations for the sake of accountability; the failure to develop a culture of accountability; obstacles to achieving internal accountability; essential elements of holding someone accountable within our own organization; and appropriate attitude and language in accountability confrontations.
Social Policy, 2021
Recognizes that despite resurgent American optimism in mid-2021, after a fearful year and a half ... more Recognizes that despite resurgent American optimism in mid-2021, after a fearful year and a half of coronavirus pandemic, the faith and hope of the people remain subdued because of existential threats to our democracy, particularly Republican-led legislative assaults on voting rights and nonpartisan electoral administration. Identifies in these developments the central role of a growing fascist oligarchy, populated by a brotherhood of billionaires. Considers the tortuous path ahead for community organizing and the essential role of the profession's treasured legacy. Proposes a strategic vision to achieve institutionalized, structural empowerment of the demos, to revitalize and redirect the nation's democratic institutions.
Social Work, 1981
Illustrates the relevance of social-learning theory to community practice based on two case examp... more Illustrates the relevance of social-learning theory to community practice based on two case examples.
Social Policy, 2015
Proposes and describes the dynamics of a cycle of cooperation, competition, conflict, and negotia... more Proposes and describes the dynamics of a cycle of cooperation, competition, conflict, and negotiation in community organizing. (5 pp.)
Gather the People, 2001
Schematic depiction of the inherent dialectical relationship between contingencies of social lear... more Schematic depiction of the inherent dialectical relationship between contingencies of social learning and exchange and the social construction of ideological realities.
Social Policy, 2016
Explores the necessity for two-tier government in urban areas, with public powers granted to dire... more Explores the necessity for two-tier government in urban areas, with public powers granted to directly democratic neighborhood assemblies, to satisfy both political and economic empowerment needs and to stop the "endless cycle of repression, rebellion, and reform."
Community Jobs, 1981
Includes the basics of grassroots fundraising-canvassing knowledge and skill, parts of the pitch,... more Includes the basics of grassroots fundraising-canvassing knowledge and skill, parts of the pitch, and common myths and facts.
Social Policy, 2020
Describes the necessity for organizers to build relationships of trust with those they're organiz... more Describes the necessity for organizers to build relationships of trust with those they're organizing, which requires that they demonstrate moral and ethical character; the demands of "professing" organizing, the purposes and obligations; the critical role of teamwork and team culture; and the principal means of overcoming one's moral and ethical shortcomings as an organizer.
Social Policy, 2023
Provides an extensive range of evaluation categories, and examples that describe objectives and c... more Provides an extensive range of evaluation categories, and examples that describe objectives and content of education and training to help organizers meet performance standards. Focuses on base-building community organizing and emphasizes the overriding objective of leadership development.
Uploads
FAVORITES by Moshe ben Asher
Recounts a Torah-based conception of repair of the world (tikkun olam) that reflects the authors’ combined 75-plus years of learning, living, and teaching Torah and community organizing and development; recognizes the critical linkage between repairing ourselves as change agents and repairing the families and communities that ideally form the foundation of our society’s moral-spiritual infrastructure; examines the obstacles, challenges, and role of faith in tikkun olam; and identifies the central role of Torah in the moral vision, values and path of community organizing and development aimed to promote righteousness, truth, justice, freedom, peace, and compassion.
Focuses on American covenantal democracy, its origination in the Torah's covenant, and its adoption by early New England Christian settlers. It describes how the Torah became the social-morality foundation which was essential to the survival and success of the unique "American experiment" of covenantal democracy, whose benchmark was the directly democratic sovereignty of the demos. Surveys the historical development of democracy in America, from its beginnings by the early settlers, through its transformation and eventual decline in the twentieth century. Traces the transition from covenant to constitution and the demise of the moral-spiritual covenant altogether. Identifies the critical effects of the history of American oligarchs and the bureaucratization of American government. Proposes what will be required to restore the covenantal sovereignty of the people and the educational task of public powers organizing in that restoration.
Discusses the desire to attain closeness to God, the common disappointments associated with living primarily for the sake of material rewards, the distinction of viewing "closeness" from God's point of view, the alternative of seeking spiritual rewards, the experience of allying oneself to the Creator and Mastermind of Creation, the challenges of relating human spirituality to God's incorporeal character, the recognition that evidence of God's spirit exists in the physical and spiritual lawfulness of the Creation, the latter of which—righteousness, truth, justice, freedom, peace, and compassion—are built into the moral-spiritual infrastructure of society, and the recognition that meeting their demands is the way to attain personal closeness to God.
The Annotated Index is an excellent resource and tool for anyone seeking a focused, in-depth encounter with the extraordinary Torah commentary of this modern sage. Rabbi Hirsch died more than a century ago (1888), but he is nonetheless considered one of the giants of modern commentators. He combined several qualities that have particular relevance for Torah study in our time:
He had a singularly masterful command of traditional texts—so much so as to be regarded as a modern sage by his rabbinic peers.
He understood and articulated with great clarity the underlying meanings of Hebrew roots and words in all their variations—so much so that an Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew based on his commentary has been published.
He understood modern science, its method and potential, regarding it as not inherently in conflict with Torah—so much so that his idea, Torah im derekh eretz ("Torah with the way of the land") advocated an ". . . intimate union between total, unadulterated Judaism and the spirit of all true science and knowledge."
His commentary is not partial or disjointed, but detailed, comprehensive, and integrated—so much so that the Judaica Press version takes seven volumes (including the Haftarot).
His commentary promotes Jewish spirituality and religiosity that are highly relevant to the pressures and hopes of daily life—so much so that we find it applicable in contemporary society to individuals, families, communities, our whole people, and the larger nation in which we live.
Community & Faith-Based Organizing by Moshe ben Asher