fbpx A New Approach to the Rules Shaping Shabbat Practice | Reconstructing Judaism
Affiliated Sites
Close
Shabbat

A New Approach to the Rules Shaping Shabbat Practice

Document
Posted on December 1, 2016
By Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz
PDF icon New Approach to Shabbat Practice

Congregation B'nai Israel in Willimantic, Connecticut underwent a long communal Reconstructionist process to decide on congregational rules for Shabbat practice. This newsletter article documents that process, and explains the values weighed and the eventual outcome that was reached. This document can serve as an exemplar for Values Based Decision Making on other topics as well. 

Shabbat, Reconstructionism Values-Based Decision Making Ritual Life Congregational Leaders Clergy Congregation
Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz
Rabbi, Temple B'nai Israel (Willimantic, CT)

Related Resources

News and Blogs

Gathering Together

As we continue to develop new ways to build community across time and distance, we must also continue to find ways to “be there” for one another.

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Seth Rosen
News

Shalom Aleychem - Contemporary

A new arrangement of traditional liturgy welcoming the Sabbath.

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Music

The Torah Process: How Jews Make Decisions

Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz explores the role of text study in Reconstructionist congregations’ decision-making process, with several case studies. This article is excerpted from the Guide to Jewish Practice. 

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz
Article

A Version of Israel's Secular Shabbat -- Via a Song

The upbeat, jazzy Israeli song Shabbat Ba’boker  is a Shabbat song with no reference to ritual or practice. But in a way that only an Israeli song can express, it communicates a deep sense of how joyous the Sabbath can be.

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Article

Lecha Dodi (Sheet Music)

Sheet music for a new setting of the traditional Friday night Lecha Dodi prayer.

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Elaine Moise
Document

Learn

Learn more about a Reconstructionist approach to Jewish thought, ethics, values, and practice:

Act

Reconstructionist Judaism is more than a set of ideas. It's an approach to Jewish living. We bring holiness into the world in many ways:

Connect

Connect with Reconstructionist communities and resources nearby and around the world:

About Us

Learn more about us and the resources available here: