Tales of Spirit Rising and Sometimes Falling - by Arthur Ocean Waskow (Paperback)

About the Book

"Ask an expert who are the 5 most influential American Jewish leaders of the last century and Rabbi Arthur Waskow will make most of the lists. The author of the original Freedom Seder and legendary social justice activist is now in his 90s, and has recorded significant memories, relationships, and events of the last seventy years. Beginning with an anecdote about Gloria Steinem and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, Waskow plunges the reader into the counter-culture that has defined his life and work. "But in the summer of 1968, I didn't have the language of Spirit," Waskow writes, and this becomes a chronicle of blending active resistance to tyranny with a gradual discovery of what Waskow calls very simply "Love." Thus comes the title of this memoir, as these are personal accounts and encounters of Spirit rising-in an extraordinary life"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A modern prophet looks back on seven decades of activism.

Ask an expert who are the 5 most influential American Jewish leaders of the last century and Rabbi Arthur Waskow will make most of the lists. The author of the original Freedom Seder and legendary social justice activist is now in his 90s, and has recorded significant memories, relationships, and events of the last seventy years. Beginning with an anecdote about Gloria Steinem and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, Waskow plunges the reader into the counter-culture that has defined his life and work.

"But in the summer of 1968, I didn't have the language of Spirit," Waskow writes, and this becomes a chronicle of blending active resistance to tyranny with a gradual discovery of what Waskow calls very simply "Love." Thus comes the title of this memoir, as these are personal accounts and encounters of Spirit rising--in an extraordinary life.

Review Quotes

"Before the hierarchies and divisions of religions, there was the all-inclusive circle of spirituality.... Rabbi Arthur Waskow helps us trace our path back to our spiritual home." --Gloria Steinem

"Rabbi Waskow calls each of us to reach down deep in our moral and religious traditions and have a grownup conversation about the response our present crisis requires. I'm glad to lift up this invitation for all to join the divine dance of love and justice." --Rev William J. Barber II, Poor People's Campaign

"A fierce look at religion, a willingness to question history, to see the connections between the world's faiths, to suggest how we might move forward from today s hard times." --Ruth Messinger, American Jewish World Service

About the Author

Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow, PhD, founded and directed The Shalom Center in Philadelphia, PA a prophetic-activist voice in Jewish, multireligious, and American life. He wrote many books, including the The Freedom Seder (1969), the groundbreaking work of Jewish spiritual activism Godwrestling, and Seasons of Our Joy. He lived most of his life in Philadelphia, PA, and died on October 20, 2025 at the age of 92.