Rabbi Arthur Waskow Dies at 92

Rabbi Arthur Waskow, one of American Judaism’s most dynamic progressive voices, passed away Monday at the age of 92 at his home in Philadelphia. A passionate activist, prolific author, and spiritual innovator, Waskow left behind a rich legacy of fusing Jewish tradition with contemporary political and social justice causes.

His groundbreaking 1969 “Freedom Seder” marked a turning point in American Jewish life. Inspired by the civil rights struggles of the time and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Waskow reimagined the traditional Passover Haggadah as a text of liberation for all oppressed peoples. It was bold, controversial, and deeply Jewish setting the tone for a lifetime of sacred disruption.

Through the Shalom Center, which he founded in Philadelphia, Waskow addressed nuclear disarmament, climate change, and Middle East peace. He later co‑founded the ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal and helped pioneer what became known as the Jewish Renewal movement a revival of Judaism rooted in mysticism, social justice, and inclusivity.

His influence reached far beyond pulpits and think tanks. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem once credited Waskow with reviving her spirit during a difficult moment in the 1960s. In another striking moment, he famously read aloud news coverage of the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre as a prophetic lamentation during Rosh Hashanah services a move that startled and awakened many.

Waskow was not content with words alone. He was arrested over two dozen times from civil rights protests in the 1960s to demonstrations outside ICE facilities in the Trump era. His activism was deeply personal, shaped by his politically engaged family and his own confrontation with Jewish identity during moments of national upheaval.

He didn’t enter the rabbinate until age 62, after decades of activism and teaching at institutions like Swarthmore College and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Yet once ordained, he brought the same intellectual daring to the pulpit that had defined his political life.

His writings including “Seasons of Our Joy,” “Down-to-Earth Judaism,” and “Torah of the Earth” connected Jewish practice with ecological awareness and personal meaning. His last published works, released while in hospice, included an activist memoir and a collection of prophetic essays.

He is survived by his wife, Rabbi Phyllis Berman, children and stepchildren, and five grandchildren. Together, they shared a love for both the sea and the sacred even adopting “Ocean” as a middle name.

Waskow believed Judaism needed to evolve spiritually in response to modern crises. His vision was of a Judaism no longer centered solely on divine kingship but on ecological interdependence a call to honor the Earth, the divine, and each other as one.

Rabbi Arthur Waskow’s life was an invitation to reimagine what Judaism can be. May his memory inspire future generations to act with purpose, speak with courage, and never stop questioning.

Share his story and subscribe to our newsletter for more insights into Jewish life and history.