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Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Architect of the Freedom Seder and Jewish Renewal, Dies at 92

He recast Jewish practice through the Shalom Center with a focus on justice‑driven ritual.

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In 2004, Waskow was arrested in a nonviolent sit-down protest against passage of a federal tax bill that enriched what he called “the hyperwealthy” and imposed more burdens on the poor. He said the police arresting him and the other members of his group — about 150 in all — quietly agreed with him, and acted "caring and courteous" with them. (Courtesy of Waskow)

Overview

  • He died on Oct. 20 at his home in Philadelphia at age 92, according to obituary notices.
  • He created the 1969 Freedom Seder, a landmark Haggadah that connected Passover to contemporary liberation struggles.
  • He founded the Shalom Center in the 1980s to bring Jewish teaching to issues from nuclear arms to climate and social justice.
  • He co‑founded ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal in 1993, helping seed a movement rooted in prophetic and mystical traditions.
  • He was arrested more than two dozen times for nonviolent protest, including a 2019 action outside an ICE office in Philadelphia.