fbpx Call for Nominations to the Reconstructionist Movement’s Two Commissions | Page 2 | Reconstructing Judaism

Call for Nominations to the Reconstructionist Movement’s Two Commissions

News

Dear members of Reconstructionist communities, 

The two active commissions of the Reconstructionist movement – the Tikkun Olam Commission (TOC) and the Joint Israel Commission (JIC) – are seeking nominees to fill several seats on each commission. Beginning this year, a request for nominations will go out every year. Terms begin September 1st and last for three years with the option to apply for a second term. Both commissions onboard new members in staggered stages so there are openings for new folks each year.  

The TOC and JIC are joint lay-rabbinic commissions, working closely with the two central organizations of the movement – Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Each consists of a lay and rabbinic co-chair, as well as representatives from the RRA, members of Reconstructionist communities, faculty and students at RRC, and the respective boards. This is a call for nominations for new lay representatives of Reconstructionist communities.  

The JIC is an advisory group designed to include people from across the spectrum of opinion found in our movement. Members of the JIC should have strong interpersonal skills, engage in respectful dialogue and debate, and commit to model civility. Members should also be committed to the success and health of the Reconstructionist movement. As part of the movement’s racial justice commitments, preference will be given to Jews of Color to increase the representation of their voices in the movement.  To find out more about what being part of the JIC involves, please contact Rabbi Maurice Harris (mharris@reconstructingjudaism.org).    

The TOC is also an advisory group, designed to advance tikkun olam efforts across the movement. The TOC is currently focusing its efforts on racial justice and is developing resources and programs, in partnership with all appropriate stakeholders, to support movement-wide engagement on the issue of racial justice both within and beyond the Jewish community.   

The TOC is looking for people with a demonstrated passion for tikkun olam and a commitment to Reconstructionism. In selecting nominees, consideration will be given to candidates’ substantive qualifications, including areas of expertise, current and past roles, skills, and experiences. We will also make every effort to include appropriate representation of the range of views, interests and demographic makeup of the broader movement membership.  Finally, preference for selection will be given to Jews of Color and other folks directly impacted by racism, in order to center their voices in our work, but white-identified folks are also encouraged to apply. To find out more about what being part of the TOC involves, please contact Rabbi Micah Weiss (mweiss@reconstructingjudaism.org).    

 

How to Get Involved: 

Self-nomination: 

If you are a lay leader who would like to nominate yourself for the TOC, please submit your application HERE

If you are a lay leader who would like to nominate yourself for the JIC, please send an email to Rabbi Maurice Harris (mharris@reconstructingjudaism.org) and he will respond with a questionnaire.  

 

Nominate others: 

To propose a nominee, any member in good standing of a Reconstructionist congregation should send an email message to: 

Rabbi Micah Weiss for the Tikkun Olam Commission (mweiss@reconstructingjudaism.org)  

Rabbi Maurice Harris for the Joint Israel Commission (mharris@reconstructingjudaism.org

In your email, please include the name of the nominee, the Reconstructionist congregation to which they belong, their contact information, and some brief remarks about why you think they would make a good addition to the TOC or the JIC. Self-nominations are permitted.  

Nominations may be submitted between now and March 1, 2021. The Nominations and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) will review all nominations and recommend a slate of nominees for each commission to the Board of Governors and the Plenum for approval. New commissioners will begin their terms on September 1, 2021. 

L’shalom, 

Micah and Maurice 

 

P.S. Reconstructing Judaism now also has a Jews of Color and Allies Advisory Group that examines and makes recommendations to the leadership of the movement with respect to the nature and impact of white majority culture and systemic racism on Jews of Color within the Reconstructionist movement, and the culture and structure of our institutions and to make recommendations regarding manners in which Reconstructing Judaism may address and act to remedy historical inequities and integrate JOC into its membership and leadership. If you identify as a Person of Color and are interested in collaborating on this effort, please reach out to Rabbi Micah Weiss (mweiss@reconstructingjudaism.org) and Carmen Corrales (carmencorrales@me.com) to connect and learn more about this work. 

Related Resources

News and Blogs

From Despair to Action

Rabbi Deborah Waxman reflects on the ways in which Reconstructing Judaism is strengthening the ways in which we support and connect Jewish communities traumatized by the recent surge in antisemitic attacks.

News

Session 5: Questions and Answers

Audience questions and answers at Reconstructing Jewish Communities panel

Article

Session 4: The Need to Wrestle with Difficult Issues

Rabbi Shira Stutman on Reconstructing Jewish Communities panel

Article

Session 3: The Need to Reconstruct Judaism Itself

Rabbi Michael Strassfeld on Reconstructing Jewish Communities panel

Article

Session 2: Redeveloping Congregational Identity So That Being Part Of The Congregation Makes Meaning

Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann on Reconstructing Jewish Communities panel

Article

Session 1: The Need for Progressive Jewish Communities to Reconstruct Themselves in This Era

Rabbi Sid Schwarz introducing Reconstructing Jewish Communities panel

Article
News and Blogs

What's Next?

Seth Rosen reflects on the successes of our 2018 convention and shares plans to build on it to strengthen our communities and movement.

News
News and Blogs

Havaya: Camp to Campus

A Camp Havaya alum reflects on the ways that her camp experience shaped her for the better.

News
News and Blogs

Joint Israel Commission Meets at Convention

The Joint Israel Commission gathered in person at the Reconstructing Judaism convention. Rabbi Maurice Harris reports on their activities and next steps. 

News
News and Blogs

Jewish Ethics, #MeToo, and Crowd-Sourced Responsa

In 5778, the hashtags #TimesUp #MeToo #GamAni sparked a broad communal conversation about abuses of power on the part of individuals and institutions, within and beyond the Jewish community. The year brought revelations of misconduct among celebrities and government officials, and in Jewish schools, organizations, and synagogues. Now, powerful people who abuse their power are being held accountable, and this is a development that is welcome and long overdue. That doesn’t mean it is easy.

News

The Founding of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

A history of the beginnings of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Article
News and Blogs

Atlanta Congregation to Share Its Passion for Music at Convention

The musical services at Congregation Bet Haverim are a phenomenon. This November, a contingent of more than 30 members of Bet Haverim’s chorus and band will be featured at the Reconstructing Judaism 2018 Convention in Philadelphia.

News
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.

News
News and Blogs

The Poor People’s Campaign, a National Call for Moral Revival

The RRA recently became a partner of the Poor People’s Campaign (PPC). In the last two weeks the PPC has coordinated rallies and acts of civil disobedience in over 30 state capitals, including the participation of over 15 RRA members. 

News
News and Blogs

Drawing Comfort from Community

Belonging connects us to something larger than our own individual experience. I belong to the Jewish people because claiming this connection enters me into a millennia-old conversation and joins me into community both vertical—all those who came before me and all those who follow—and horizontal—the Jews of today, in all our diversity.

News