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Items from the Reconstructing Judaism Today Newsletter

Reconstructing Judaism Today

Items from the Reconstructing Judaism Today Newsletter

Reconstructionist Voices - Racial Diversity
February 24, 2021

From its very beginnings, the Jewish story is full of journeys. When it comes to racial justice work, the Reconstructionist movement is in the midst of a profound journey.

Reconstructionist News
November 16, 2020

The existential nature of the Coronavirus pandemic is laying the groundwork for a religious revival, and the Reconstructionist movement is poised to contribute a compelling vision of 21st-century Jewish life as part of this revival.

Reconstructionist Voices - Congregational Resources
September 8, 2020

Rabbi Joshua Lesser (RRC '99) has had a front seat to one of the most joyful spots of our tragic time. With a group of Jewish leaders from different movements and perspectives, he helped create a Facebook group called Dreaming Up High Holy Days 2020.

Reconstructionist News
September 3, 2020

This summer we encountered a growing movement that forces us to stare into the face of racial injustice. For those of us who are accepted as white, it demands that we stop looking away. It requires us to try to imagine what it means to raise a child of color in America and examine how we, despite all of our best intentions, fail in our efforts to include and empower people of color in our civil and religious communities.

Reconstructionist News - Environment
January 27, 2020

Tara Saltzman, director of lifelong learning at Congregation Beth Evergreen in Denver, reflects on the ups and downs her congregation has experienced on the road to becoming more environmentally friendly.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
January 27, 2020

Judaism teaches that seven years is a full cycle, and the current status of Reconstructing Judaism bears this out. Over the last seven years since the merger, and in the six years of my presidency, we have been transformed and are acting more and more every day as an integrated organization whose staff members work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
December 3, 2019

We’re beyond excited to share with you that our new home for Havaya Arts is Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.!

Reconstructionist Voices - Reconstructionism
November 21, 2019

If we are serious about building Jewish community, what could be more important than educating, nurturing and supporting Jewish leaders — rabbis — who will partner with us, teach us, learn with us, and both ground us in our tradition and inspire us to reach for new meaning?

Reconstructionist News - Music
October 7, 2019

Reconstructionist Jews are creating beautiful music. In this video, watch and listen to some of the musical highlights from our 2018 Convention and learn about Kolot Zimrah, a new online community where Reconstructionist musicians share their latest creations with the world.

Reconstructing Judaism Today
September 23, 2019

As leaders of the Reconstructionist movement, we hold Dor Hadash up as a powerful example of an active and engaged lay-led Jewish community. We urge communal leaders and opinion makers to recognize Dor Hadash itself — in all dealings around the attack, as an exemplar of vibrant Jewish life.

Reconstructionist Voices - Religious Experience
September 6, 2019

Jonathan Markowitz recounts his narrow escape from the World Trade Center on 9/11, and reflects on God, Judaism and humanity in light of his experience.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
September 3, 2019

Reconstructing Judaism's support of entrepreneurship gives rabbinical students and recent graduates the funding, supervision and mentorship to turn ideas into reality. “For me, the big story is that Jews remain seekers of meaning and community. What our Auerbach grants do is create new portals for Jewish community and meaning,” said Cyd Weissman, Reconstructing Judaism’s vice president for Innovation and Impact.

Reconstructionist News - Pursuing Justice
July 15, 2019

Rooted in the Jewish textual tradition and lived experience, Reconstructionist communities are aiding immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct service, education and advocacy.

Reconstructing Judaism Today
June 7, 2019

As more and more places of worship become vulnerable to hate crimes and gun violence and we increase security measures, young people are particularly traumatized. One congregation has created a mental health and resilience curriculum for its students. 

Reconstructionist Voices - Peoplehood
June 4, 2019

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.

Reconstructionist Voices
May 17, 2019

Profile of Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg: her journey, and her contributions to the Reconstructionist movement and to Jewish spiritual life writ large. 

Reconstructionist Voices - Peoplehood
May 10, 2019

Rabbi Maurice Harris shares the moving story of welcoming new Jews through conversion —on a Reconstructionist beit din in the Netherlands. 

Reconstructionist News - Pursuing Justice
April 25, 2019

Rabbi Elliott Tepperman's vision of a synagogue: a community that sustains itself through prayer and Torah, while also "trying to be a powerful force for making change in the world.”

Reconstructionist Voices - Reconstructionism
April 2, 2019

Synagogues are a means, not an end in themselves. But thriving synagogues contribute to Judaism's goal: to create healthy individuals, thriving communities, flourishing Jewish life, interconnected human life and a sustainable planet.

Reconstructing Judaism Today
February 26, 2019

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

Reconstructionist Voices - Community Learning
February 13, 2019

Learn more about Reconstructionist Educators of North America, a vital resource for professional development, mentorship and connection for Jewish educators in Reconstructionist communities.

Reconstructionist News
February 1, 2019

Through Evolve, we we provide deep, thoughtful, challenging materials to rabbis, professionals and educated laypeople, and provide forums for discussing and reflecting on these materials with respect.

Newsletters - Movement Activities
January 2, 2019

Two months after the attack at Pittsburgh congregation Dor Hadash, we revisit the community.

Leadership Brief - Movement Activities
December 17, 2018

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

Reconstructionist News
November 7, 2018

Reconstructionist congregation Dor Hadash was one of the groups in the crosshairs of the horrific Pittsburgh shooting attack. We recount the unique qualities of this vibrant community, the trauma they've undergone, and the values they continue to uphold.  

Reconstructionist News
November 7, 2018

A selection of articles, essays and statements on the tragic events in Pittsburgh. 

Reconstructionist Voices
November 6, 2018

We deeply believe in holy conversation. It is essential and urgent. We know Reconstructionists are good at it. We want to maintain this strength and deepen it, and to model it for the wider community. We hope that you agree and will join us.

Reconstructionist Voices - Reconstructionism
October 26, 2018

Two November events loom as I write this column: the mid-term elections on November 6, and the first Reconstructionist movement-wide convention in a decade, a week later.  The first admittedly will have far more impact on the world than the latter, but they are linked in my mind for one important reason: movements matter.

Reconstructionist News
September 26, 2018

Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, RRC ’74, knows what it means to make history. Her newest children’s book, Regina Persisted: An Untold Story, reclaims a story lost to history. The book also provides adults and children a portrait of a strong woman driven by her love of Judaism.

Reconstructionist Voices - Pursuing Justice
August 27, 2018

Rabbi Deborah Waxman, president of Reconstructing Judaism, reports on her participation in the national leadership mission to the San Diego-Tijuana border organized by HIAS and the Anti-Defamation League.

Reconstructing Judaism Today - Music
August 15, 2018

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.

Reconstructionist News - Ethics and Values
August 6, 2018

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.

Reconstructing Judaism Today
August 6, 2018

Board president Seth Rosen reflects on the power of being together in the same place. 

Reconstructionist News - Pursuing Justice
July 2, 2018

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. 

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
July 2, 2018

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.

Reconstructionist News - Disabilities and Inclusion
June 28, 2018

With a welcoming ethos and a drive to break down barriers, Reconstructionist congregations and havurot have been part of a revolution that’s taken place in the public awareness of the importance of disability inclusion and related services.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
June 1, 2018

The Aviv Revolving Loan Fund is one way that Reconstructing Judaism is marshaling its resources to strengthen affiliated communities and foster innovation.

Reconstructionist News - Israel
April 23, 2018

When we began our Israel journey together in Tel Aviv on March 7th, we were 25 people representing 11 Reconstructionist communities who travelled there on the promise to go places and meet people that even veteran Israel travelers hadn’t visited or met. And on that promise, the Reconstructing Judaism Israel Mission Trip delivered.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
April 9, 2018

Why belong to the Jewish people? Why belong to a synagogue? Why belong to the Reconstructionist movement? These are some of the most important questions that I am asked and that I, along with all of us at Reconstructing Judaism, strive to answer powerfully and convincingly.

Reconstructionist News - Movement Activities
March 6, 2018

Though we count time Jewishly, by any consideration the secular year 2018 is an exciting year for the Reconstructionist movement.

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