Ralph Helstein was an extraordinary individual. Never before had a lawyer who emphasized social justice been chosen to head a major labor organization. Helstein took a defiant stand against McCarthyism unlike any other leader in this unique historical period, doing so by promoti…
This book shows how a Jewish lawyer utilized his philosophy of prophetic Judaism (a belief in social justice) and his training as a lawyer to become the head of a trade union that formulated policies embodying these social beliefs, bringing many benefits to its members
Overview: In 1946, Ralph Helstein was the general counsel for the United Packinghouse Workers Union (UPWA), which had become a predominantly black worker organization. At the time there was a divisive left-right split in the union. As the only individual both sides trusted, Hels…