Rabbi Michael Lerner papers, 1963-2022

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Lerner, Michael and Lerner, Michael
Extent:
13.8 Linear Feet (17 manuscript boxes, 4 cartons, 2 flat boxes, and 1 half box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Rabbi Michael Lerner papers (M2984). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of writings, transcripts, manuals, brochures, guides for Jewish services, press clippings, photographs, audiovisual materials, ephemera and other materials. The materials document Michael Lerner's involvement with the Free Speech Movement, the anti-war movement, as a member of the Seattle Seven, the Beyt Tikkun Synagogue, the Institute for Labor and Mental Health, Tikkun magazine, the Network of Spiritual Progressives, and his involvement with politics.

Biographical / historical:

Michael Lerner (1943-2024) was an author, political activist, educator, and a rabbi.

Michael Lerner was born February 11, 1943 in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Weequahic High School in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University and a PhD in philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972. While at Berkeley Lerner became involved with the Free Speech movement and served as the chair of the Free Student Union and as chair of the Berkeley chapter of Students for a Democratic Society.

After achieving his PhD Lerner taught philosophy of law at San Fransisco State University, and later was a professor at the University of Washington. While at the University of Washington Lerner helped found the Seattle Liberation Front and was arrested at a demonstration protesting the Chicago Seven verdict along with others termed the "Seattle Seven.

After his trial and conviction Lerner served several months in prison before his contempt conviction was overturned. Lerner moved to Hartford Connecticut teaching at Trinity College until 1975 when he moved back to Berkeley and taught at the Field Studies program at UC Berkeley and later at Sonoma State University. He also founded the Institute for Labor and Mental Health in 1976.

He served as the dean of the graduate school of psychology at New College of California for 5 years. Lerner co-founded Tikkun: A Bimonthly Jewish Critique of Politics, Culture and Society.

Lerner also created Beyt Tikkun Synagogue, a 'synagogue with-out walls' based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and later founded the Network of Spiritual Progressives.

Michael Lerner has authored books, including "Politics of Meaning", and articles and made a number television appearances.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual & born-digital materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Rabbi Michael Lerner papers (M2984). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, California.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022