About Us
Our Purpose
To repair and enrich the world through thriving Jewish life.
Living Torah
We believe that Judaism is a dynamic, evolving force in ongoing dialogue with the world around it, and that it brings a powerful vocabulary of accumulating wisdom to this conversation. We call this wisdom “Living Torah.” We believe that Living Torah can inspire and guide Jews and fellow travelers from all backgrounds to live more meaningful lives and to act to repair and perfect the world.
Many Jews today have never encountered this kind of Living Torah. Happily, we see a movement taking shape across the Jewish community of individuals and organizations that are offering a growing number of opportunities to change this reality. Through a variety of approaches, they are connecting Jews and others to Jewish wisdom, sensibilities, and experiences that are enriching people’s lives and inspiring them to incorporate Jewish insights and practices into their daily actions.
Please go to the Resources page to find additional perspectives on Living Torah, contemporary Jewish life, and issues of importance to our Foundation.
Core Values
בצלם אלקים B’TSELEM ELOKIM: Each Person is Made in the Divine Image
We honor the essential dignity, individuality, and potential of every person. We appreciate diversity in backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and approaches.
חברותא CHAVRUTA: Dialogue and Partnership
We create meaning together, challenging thinking and building on one another’s ideas. We approach our engagements as partnerships and seek the inclusion of many voices.
קשר KESHER: Connectedness
We believe in the power of togetherness – family, community, כלל ישראל (Klal Yisrael – the unity of the Jewish people). We place ourselves in the context of a larger whole and take responsibility for the impact our actions and inactions have on others.
“משיח” “MOSHIACH” (Era of a perfect world): Sense of Possibility
We believe in the perfectibility of the world. We continually reach toward vision, asking “How might we?” We think boldly, address challenges head on, and approach our work with courage and creativity.
“נחשון” “NACHSHON” (First into the water): Drive Forward
We embrace new insights, big ideas, and fresh initiatives with an action orientation, learning as we go. We are willing to rise to the occasion when others cannot, do not, or will not.
בשם שמים B’SHEM SHAMAYIM (In the name of the heavens): Strength with Humility
We are aware of our responsibility and strive to use it worthily. We constantly remind ourselves that everything we do is for the betterment of the world.
Core Beliefs
1. Judaism is a blessing and gift to humanity because it:
a. reminds us that we are all connected – אחד (Echad – One),
b. teaches that one life is worth the world, and
c. provides an enduring source for finding meaning and guiding actions.
2. The Jewish people is enriched by Judaism’s enduring core values and their many expressions.
3. Judaism is most robust when all three of its pillars are flourishing – תורה (Torah – learning), עבודה (Avodah – service), and גמלות חסדים (Gmilut Chasadim – acting with kindness and compassion).
Affiliations
Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah is proud to be a member of:
