The Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
“When it comes to matters of equality, social justice and human rights, a Jew is responsible…Being able to respond with “I was accountable” gives meaning to the theological will and historical drama of the Jewish People. Being able to say “I was responsible” means that our children will look at us and declare: ‘Good deeds are done by good people’ (Shabbat 32a).”
--50 Ways To Be Jewish
Rabbi David J. Forman, z’’l was an educator, human-rights activist, author and columnist. He was ordained as a Rabbi in 1972 at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and made aliya the same year. As the director of the Israel office of the Union for Reform Judaism, he was instrumental in building programs that bridge the IsraelDiaspora divide, touching the lives and helping shape the Jewish identity of thousands. A lifelong activist for justice, he was founding chairman of both the Jerusalem Council for Soviet Jewry (1973) and the Cincinnati Council for Soviet Jewry (1970), vice chairman of Seminarians for Peace, and a member of Clergy and Laity against the War in Vietnam (19681972). In 1964, he joined the “Freedom Riders” civil rights activists in challenging the U.S. South’s Jim Crow laws and segregation. He was chairman of Interns for Peace (1984-1986) and founded Rabbis for Human Rights, on whose behalf he accepted the Knesset Prize (1993). He keynoted the Nobel Institute conference on The Role of Religion in Middle East Peacemaking, and lectured around the world on human rights in the Jewish tradition. In 1994, he was invited to join the Israeli delegation to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. He served as a deputy commander in the Israeli artillery corps, receiving a medal for distinguished service. He wrote Over My Dead Body – Some Grave Questions for God (2005), Fifty Ways to be Jewish (2002), Jewish Schizophrenia in the Land of Israel (2000) and Israel on Broadway, America: Off-Broadway – Jews in the New Millennium (1998). His articles and columns on social, political and religious issues in Israel were featured in the Jerusalem Post, The Jerusalem Report and other local and international publications. He felt his love for family and friends was his greatest achievement.
Rabbi Forman in an inter-religious clergy visit to victims of terror
The Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund aims to perpetuate the legacy of David’s Jewish social activism, leadership in Jewish education, promotion of justice as a rabbinical vision, and the need to work indefatigably and without illusion for peace, justice, and human rights. The Fund is devoted to activities that demonstrate a passion for the Zionist enterprise, help build a more just Israeli society, and enhance Jewish Peoplehood: Sponsoring an annual Day of Action for Social Justice and Human Rights in Israel, holding a Rabbi David Forman Memorial Lecture, and/or awarding a Human Rights Prize. These activities will identify and draw attention to issues that need greater exposure, and inspire a new generation of activists along the path blazed by Rabbi Forman for his many colleagues and students. Providing scholarships for students engaged in hands-on activism and study of Jewish ethical thought, social justice, human rights, and peace. Scholarships will allow these dedicated Israeli students to devote their energies to crucial projects correlating their learning with their deeds. Encouraging social entrepreneur projects promoting co-existence, protection of human rights, equality, or social and economic progress, in cooperation with other or new Israeli organizations.
The Rabbi David Forman Memorial Fund was established by a volunteer board of trustees composed of David's rabbinical colleagues, friends and family members as a perpetual endowment dedicated to his legacy of teaching Torah through the pursuit of peace and honoring his memory through righteous deeds. The fund is generously administered by Atzum – Justice Works, which processes the fund’s U.S. dollar contributions in the United States as of January 1, 2013. Trustees: Rabbis Lee Diamond, Paul (Shaul) R. Feinberg - Chairperson, Stuart Geller, Levi Lauer, Arnold Levine z’’l, Paul Menitoff, Stanley Ringler, David Rosen, Michael Schwartz, Hank Skirball, Tzvi Weinberg; Judy and Tamar Forman, Terry Cohen Hendin, and Gideon Herscher. --------------------------------------
Please support Rabbi Forman’s legacy of activism and education with a gift to The Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund: ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
$5,000 each year for 2013 and 2014. $1,800 each year for 2013 and 2014. $1,000 each year for 2013 and 2014. $500 each year for 2013 and 2014. $________ each year for 2013 and 2014. $________ as a one-time gift. Or, make a gift of $25,000 or more and become a FOUNDER of the RABBI DAVID FORMAN MEMORIAL FUND
You may contact one of the trustees personally or through the Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund email: RabbiFormanFund@gmail.com Contributions in U.S. dollars are recognized under U.S. 501(c)(3) as gifts to charitable organization #01-0697869. Please donate online through the ATZUM website www.atzum.org or write a check payable to ATZUM and accompanied by a letter specifying the contribution is for the "Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund": ATZUM PO Box 793 Skokie, IL 60076 Contributions in Israeli shekels should be made payable to: The Rabbi David J. Forman Memorial Fund P.O. Box 10031 Jerusalem 91101 Kindly include your mailing address and e-mail address with all contributions