A Legacy of Social Action

Social justice (tzedek in Hebrew) is integral to the fabric of Mount Zion. Through its existence, it has acted upon this commitment in response to a range of social and political issues of local and international importance. This page explores the theological basis for Mount Zion’s pursuit of justice and highlights several initiatives the congregation is involved with.

Judaism and Justice 

Foundational Concepts 

The pillars of Jewish social action are Yitziat 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 called B'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. 

  1. “Social Justice (Tzedek) – Mount Zion Temple,” Mount Zion Temple, accessed May 31, 2021, https://mzion.org/act/social-justice/.↩

  2. “Social Justice (Tzedek) – Mount Zion Temple,” Mount Zion Temple, accessed May 31, 2021, https://mzion.org/act/social-justice/.↩

  3. https://pluralism.org/tikkun-olam↩

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. 

  1. Teresa Matzek, “A Year of Tzedek,” The Newsletter of Mount Zion Temple 157, no. 1 (September 2012): 19.↩

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.5 Under 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.7 Advocacy 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 the Saint Paul Interfaith Network (SPIN), and the temple has helped organize and host SPIN's annual interfaith seder.9 Congregants 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.14 The 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

  1. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 60s and 70s,” n.d., 12.↩

  2. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 80s and 90s,” n.d., 11↩

  3. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 60s and 70s,” n.d., 12.↩

  4. Personal Interview with Charlie Levine, 2-4-11  ↩

  5. Personal interview with Tom Duke, overall convener of SPIN, 2-16-11↩

  6. Personal interview with Tom Duke, overall convener of SPIN, 2-16-11 ↩

  7. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 60s and 70s,” n.d., 11.↩

  8. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 60s and 70s,” n.d., 11.↩

  9. Sally Rubinstein, “Historical Tidbits - Mount Zion in the 80s and 90s,” n.d., 11.↩

  10. Betty Strem, “Mount Zion Temple Bulletin,” Mount Zion 162, no. 5 (August 2018): 19.↩

  11. Betty Strem, “Mount Zion Temple Bulletin,” Mount Zion 162, no. 5 (August 2018): 19.↩

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.16 In 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 

  1. Personal interview with Rabbi Spilker, 2-17-11↩

  2. Personal interview Pam Leeds, congregant at Mt Zion, 2-22-11↩

  3. Personal interview with Rabbi Spilker, 2-17-11↩