Michael Lerner (rabbi)

Michael Lerner is a rabbi and liberal religious/political activist , best known for being the editor of the left-wing Jewish bimonthly, Tikkun . Lerner has described his form of Judaism as being " Jewish Renewal ," and as "positive Judaism." He fights against what he sees as ethnocentric attitudes among others Jews. His publications encourage Jews , Muslims and Christians to embrace what he calls a "responsible attitude to the world." Michael Learner considers himself to be a Zionist , though he strongly disaproves of mainstream Zionism , which he views as a form of Jewish ethnocentrism that denies the historical experience of the Palestinians in service to advocating a Jewish homeland. He and the Tikkun Community oppose the continued occupation of the disputed territories . Most Zionists consider his critique of Zionism to be anti-Zionist . He believes that Israel should be a homeland for Jews and Palestinians living together under a unitary state. Until that can be achieved he supports a two-state solution with the return of Israel to the pre-1967 borders and dismantling the Israeli West Bank barrier . He advocates the adoption of the Geneva Accords , as the peace agreement that best embodies his ideal of coequal states. Rabbi Learner believes that a lack of trust, caused by the violence of both sides is the key impediment to the establishment of a Palestinian state Lerner has a rabbinic ordination from the Aleph Alliance for Jewish Renewal . Recently, Lerner accused the anti-war group ANSWER of anti-Semitism , on the grounds that his support for the existance of Israel influenced their decision to bar him from speaking at their rallies against the 2003 invasion of Iraq .¹