Remembering John Lewis

"The way to give meaning to our life is to do what we can to abate its misery, to heal its wounds, to be comrades in the only war worth fighting: the battle to extend the domain of love and reconciliation and justice in the world, and thus to declare ourselves for the continuation of life."

Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman, The Eternal Dissident, page 249

The Leonard I. Beerman Foundation for Peace and Justice expresses deep sorrow at the death of Representative John Lewis, one of the giants of social justice of our time. As Dr. Joan Beerman explains in the video below, the Foundation feels a particular connection to Representative Lewis, who was the first recipient of the Leonard I. Beerman Award for Social Justice in Action.

When he came to Los Angeles to receive the award in October 2017, Representative Lewis engaged in conversation with his teacher, the Reverend James Lawson, who was Leonard Beerman's dear friend and colleague. Watch a brief clip of their memorable conversation below.

The example of these three giants of justice, Lewis, Lawson, and Beerman, can and must inspire us in this time of challenge, suffering, and also hope.