God in Metaphor: A Guide for the Perplexed
Rabbi Toba Spitzer explores the obstacles to prayer posed by stale language about God, and suggests new language that may ease our way in finding connection.
Posted on November 17, 2016 by
Rabbi
Toba Spitzer
Psalm 27
Meditative interpretation of Psalm 27.
Posted on August 18, 2017 by
Rabbi
Sheila Peltz Weinberg
Yom Kippur at Lincoln Memorial
Kavvanah written for Yom Kippur services at the Lincoln Memorial, 2015.
Posted on August 17, 2017 by
Rabbi
Sheila Peltz Weinberg
Shofar Kavannah for Refugees
This ritual invokes the blast of the shofar to articulate the plight of refugees. It was created for use at High Holidays in response to the presidential travel ban.
Posted on August 16, 2017 by
Rabbi
Renee Bauer
Amidah for Peace, Justice and Immigration
This alternative Amidah was used during mincha prayers by members of the Reconstructionist Rabbinic Association outside of an Immigration Processing Center in order to call attention to the plight of immigrants and underscore the importance of the Jewish obligation to welcome the stranger.
Posted on August 15, 2017 by
Rabbi
Elliott Tepperman
psalm 79: pour out your love
Rabbi Brant Rosen’s poem responds to Psalm 79, challenging us to welcome the stranger even, and especially, in uncomfortable ways.
Posted on August 15, 2017 by
Rabbi
Brant Rosen
Liturgy and Prayer Leadership: Distance Learning Session
This distance learning conference call explores the dynamics of worship and the human impulse to pray, some of the deep structures of Jewish prayer services, and specifically Reconstructionist liturgy.
Posted on January 30, 2017 by
Rabbi
Shawn Zevit
Yigdal: A Reconstructionist Examination
Yigdal, one of the most beloved of the medieval piyyutim (liturgical poems) summarizes the thirteen principles of the Jewish faith as formulated by Moses Maimonides (RaMBaM; late 12th century C.E.). Reconstructionists often proudly assert that when we pray with a Reconstructionist siddur, we feel that we can 'say what we mean and mean what we say,' because our liturgical language reflects Reconstructionist theology. How might a Reconstructionist interpret the words of Yigdal in this way?
Posted on November 30, 2016 by
Rabbi
Leila Berner
Ph.D.
A Yizkor Prayer for Righteous Gentiles
A child of Holocaust survivors, Rani Jaegar composed a yizkor prayer for Righteous Gentiles that is unique and breaks new ground. It tells the story of those who saw suffering and knew how to find their humanity. It remembers that “righteousness is an everlasting foundation” that breaks boundaries.
Posted on September 29, 2016 by
Adina Newberg
Ph.D.
Making Seder and Kiddush More Inclusive
Wine is the traditional vehicle for prominent Jewish ritual moments. At the same, Jewish communities contain people who struggle with alcohol. Rabbi Richard Hirsh outlines simple steps to recognize and support all in a community who wish to participate.
Posted on April 18, 2016 by
Rabbi
Richard Hirsh